One Bad Apple: Dynamics of Online Group Work

• In Event: Poster Session 9
  In Poster Session: Instructor-Student and Student-Student Interactions in Online Learning Environments

Abstract

Coordinating collaboration in the online classroom can be a challenging yet rewarding experience. Online (OL) group work that extends through the majority of a semester resulting in a high percentage of the individual’s grade has the potential for many positive and negative group work experiences. This study examines the students and instructors perceptions of such group work in graduate courses to determine what factors influence group work experiences. Survey, student journals, and interviews suggest that communication issues, participation, and personal feelings about group members play a prominent role in student perception about group work. This data coincides with the perception of online instructors. More effective OL groups can be designed based on elements of this data.

Authors

• Glenn Gordon Smith, University of South Florida

• Andrew Gump, University of South Florida