The Ins and Outs of Virtual Teams

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The Ins and Outs of Virtual Teams
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Your experience
Have you ever worked online? Have you ever been
an e-learner? Have you ever communicated with
people who you have never met face-to-face?
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Agenda

• Virtual group cohesion
• Interaction at a distance
• Social function of e-moderator
• Foundations of knowledge construction

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Online education - Acronyms

• CMC LMS
• VLE
• ICT
• SCMC
• CMS
• OLC

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Acronyms

• ICT Information Computer Technology
• VLE virtual learning environment
• LMS learning management system
• OLC online learning community

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Acronymns

• CMC computer mediated communication
• SCMC synchronous computer mediated communication
• CMS course management systems

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relevant contents smooth design
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Online learning platforms -
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Moodle

• student-centred environment
• constructivist approach
• Forums
• Resources
• Quizzes
• Activity modules e.g. WebQuest

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Virtual milieus electronic communication

• Asynchronous
• e-mail
• discussion boards/forums
• tasks activities
• wikis
• Synchronous
• text chat
• voice/audio chat e.g
• collaborative editing

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Online setting difficulties

• No visual cues
• Feeling of Isolation
• Dependency on Text-based communication
• Mismatch of expectations

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Salmons five-stage model
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Team development model
Bruce Tuckman's model (1965)
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Facilitator holds the key
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Key one

• empowering start

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Key one- learners ring on the bell

• pre-course questionnaire
• expectations
• learning styles
• personal profile
• digital photo

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Key two

• putting your name on the door
• will make knocking on it more enticing

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Key two- write welcome on the door mat
learners cant hear your voice enjoy your
smile see your gestures
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Have a door map! www.mapservices.org/myguestmap/
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Put your group on the map www.frappr.com
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Key three

• congenial atmosphere

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Key three words and group norms

• special words
• be welcoming
• show warmth
• express support
• suggest or decide on rules of behaviour
• make sure all members
• are supportive
• of each other

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Key four

• socialising begins and
• the team burgeons

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Key four virtual coffee houses

• Chit-chat discussion board
• area for socialisation
• Wegerif (1998)
• trust
• relaxation
• fun! -)

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Key five

• praise, praise, praise
• the whole world thrives on it

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Key five responsive feedback

• praise and encourage in abundance
• value contributions
• show interest

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Salmons five-stage model
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Think about

• time
• anxiety
• variety of tasks
• balance
• asynch vs. synch

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Conclusions 1, 2, 3 tips
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Tip one

• Enjoy and
• Be yourself!

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Tip two

• Train

www.theconsultants-e.com
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Tip three

• Join a CoP
• http//www.webheads.info/

e.g. Webheads in Action Communities of Practice
online