The current learning environment requires to study away from campus. With some of the tasks requiring collaborative effort, building an online learning community is necessary. Technology has provided apps, websites, and gadgets to support online collaboration.
An online study community requires the commitment of individual members. Each member will be performing his task away from the others. It is these individual efforts that will culminate into a complete assignment despite the distance. Here are tips to help you to build an effective online learning community.
Share resources
Each member of the team is at a different location. Exposure to technology like apps, websites, and gadgets will differ. Sharing resources and ideas will create a strong and beneficial bond between the members and will signal mutual benefits. For instance, you can share the cheap thesis writing service you use for your assignments while another person shares an online database from where he downloads quality samples. Another member will share video or voice recording tips to make conference calls more effective.
Use apps, websites, and platforms that allow you to read from the same document during meetings seamlessly. Exchange samples and examples when working on the same task. It ensures that everyone is informed of the ideas you wish to discuss beforehand and can, therefore, make the final presentation on behalf of the group.
Choose the right team
Pick a team that can actualize online learning. Some tutors and departments will group you, leaving you with no option of choosing your members. However, if you can, pick a motivated team to focus on an assignment until it is complete.
The right team will take the initiative to look for the best reference resources. Such team members will also appear for discussions and meetings at the time indicated. Once each has been given an assignment, he will work on it and submit the work on time. Everyone will be working towards the success of the team. The presence of some members pulling you backward will be catastrophic for the entire team.
Use social media
Social media has developed significantly in the last few years. It has acquired features that make it easier to work together as a team and complete some of the most complex tasks. Even with basic features, social media will help you to form a study group and lay the groundwork for future collaboration tasks.
Messaging apps, for instance, allow you to form a group where all project materials can be shared. WhatsApp allows you to hold conference calls to discuss the day’s topic. Even a member who is traveling or away from his desk can participate in such meetings. The social media apps are easy to use and common for people today. As such, you are guaranteed adequate resources to keep the group moving.
Utilize collaboration apps, websites, and platforms
Developers have provided some of the best websites, apps, and platforms for collaborative work. They allow you to define admins, share files, refer to the same screen, and generate reports while working remotely. The apps also allow you to monitor the activities and contributions of individual members.
Collaboration apps, websites, and platforms are designed with video conferencing features, file sharing, as well as admin management features. Check reviews of the best collaboration tools for different tasks to help you make the right decisions.
Play educational games
Students on campus bond in the evening using movies and social chats. Online learning groups also need to keep together using innovative ideas. One such idea is playing online educational games.
Educational games will help you to understand certain concepts. At the same time, it is a way to bond with your study group members who you might never meet. Technology has provided excellent gaming platforms that can be used to bond a group without necessarily meeting in person.
Do your part
Collaboration tasks require individuals to work on different parts or chapters. You may also be required to research a topic or draft a chapter. Complete the task before the next online meeting. It will help the team move or complete the assignment on time.
The team should choose a leader and set rules. The leadership and the culture you create will determine the team’s effectiveness. Each member must also be committed to completing tasks assigned with the diligence required. Once all members feel like they are getting value from the group, they will support you.
Create a manageable group
The effectiveness of a study group will depend on its size. Some assignments require a large group, while others will be concluded even with a smaller group. Create a group that will help you to accomplish the task at hand. A reasonable group has five to seven members. The largest should be ten members.
In case you have a large group, you can split it to perform smaller tasks within the larger assignment. For instance, a smaller group may be working on one point in your discussion instead of discussing it as the entire team. A manageable group ensures that everyone participates. It will also be easier to complete the tasks instead of everyone working on every aspect of your paper. However, you must eventually discuss the conclusions with the entire team to harmonize your thoughts.
Peer review each other’s work
Use the groups to review individual tasks. For instance, you can discuss the assignment submitted by an individual as you await the next group assignment. Such peer review allows individual members to improve their performance by tapping into the resources and skills of the other members.
Review your progress periodically to improve your performance. Call out members who may be dragging the entire group behind. Congratulate and reward persons going the extra mile for the success of the team. It is through teamwork that online collaboration works.
Online learning communities are supported by gadgets. Invest in the right gadgets with cameras and sound capabilities that will support your team’s efforts. Assist each other in completing individual tasks so that the objectives of the entire group are realized.
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