The OER Knowledge Cloud makes use of cookies. By continuing, you consent to this use. More information.
How do virtual teams collaborate in online learning tasks in a MOOC?
Verstegen, Daniëlle · Dailey-Hebert, Amber · Fonteijn, Herco · Clarebout, Geraldine · Spruijt, Annemarie

PublishedSeptember 2018
JournalThe International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning
Volume 19, Issue 4
CountryNetherlands, Europe

ABSTRACT
Modern learning theories stress the importance of student-centered and self-directed learning. Problem-Based Learning (PBL) supports this by focusing on small group learning centered around authentic problems. PBL, however, usually relies heavily on face-to-face team collaboration and tutor guidance. Yet, when applied in online/blended environments, such elements may not be feasible or even desirable. This study explores how virtual teams collaborate in online learning tasks in the context of a nine-week Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) where international, virtual teams worked on PBL-like tasks. Twenty-one self-formed teams were observed. An inductive thematic analysis resulted in five themes: 1) team formation and team composition, 2) team process (organization and leadership), 3) approach to task work (task division and interaction), 4) use of tools, and 5) external factors (MOOC design and interaction with others). Overall findings revealed that online, virtual teams can collaborate on learning tasks without extensive guidance, but this requires additional communication and technological skills and support. Explicit discussion about group organization and task work, a positive atmosphere, and acceptance of unequal contributions seem to be positive factors. Additional support is required to prepare participants for virtual team work, develop digital literacy, and stimulate more elaborate brainstorming and discussion.

Keywords Design-Based Research · MOOC · online learning · Open Educational Resources · PBL · problem-based learning · team collaboration · virtual teams

Published atAthabasca, AB
ISSN1492-3831
RefereedYes
RightsAttribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
DOI10.19173/irrodl.v19i4.3528
URLhttp://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/3528
Export optionsBibTex · EndNote · Tagged XML · Google Scholar



AVAILABLE FILES
3528-28403-1-PB.pdf · 578.1KB29 downloads



Viewed by 163 distinct readers




CLOUD COMMUNITY REVIEWS

The evaluations below represent the judgements of our readers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Cloud editors.

Click a star to be the first to rate this document


POST A COMMENT
SIMILAR RECORDS

What’s educational about Open Educational Resources? Different theoretical lenses for conceptualizing learning with OER
Panke, Stefanie; Seufert, Tina
In the last decade, the concept of Open Educational Resources (OER) has gained an undeniable momentum. However, it is an easy trap to confuse download and registration rates with actual learning and interest in the ...
Match: learning; open educational resources

Learning objects, learning design, and adoption through succession
Weller, M.
THIS PAPER examines the concept of learning objects, the advantages they offer, and related issues. Learning objects focus on content, while the Learning Design specification addresses pedagogy. Underlying both of these ...
Match: learning

A deeper understanding of reuse: Learning designs, activities, resources and their contexts
Wills, Sandra; Pegler, Chris
This paper positions discussion of learning designs in the broad context of reuse and repurpose. It proposes that not enough attention has been given to the purpose of reuse and the motivation of those who choose to ...
Match: learning; open educational resources

Integrating OER in Teaching: A Guide for Teachers in the Pacific
Commonwealth of Learning
This guide is intended to assist teachers in the Pacific to integrate Open Educational Resources (OER) into their teaching. It shows ways in which teachers can use OER in their classroom, as well as supporting remote ...
Match: online learning; open educational resources

From MOOC to GOAL
Siemsen, Sabine; Uden, Lorna; Liberona, Dario; Feldmann, Birgit
Higher Education tries to meet the call for openness and internationalization, moving (parts of) its learning-environments from brick and mortar universities to virtual learning environments. This implies a different ...
Match: europe

A new ecology for learning : An online ethnographic study of learners’ participation and experience in Connectivist MOOCs
Saadatmand, Mohsen; Kumpulainen, Kristiina; Ilsley, Paul
This dissertation focuses on Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) which have emerged and heralded as new online learning environments able to serve large numbers of students. Identifying two main types of MOOCs known as ...
Match: learning; online learning

Tracking online and distance education in Canadian universities and colleges: 2018 Canadian national survey of online and distance education public report
Canadian Digital Learning Research Association
Executive Summary The first comprehensive survey of online and distance learning in Canadian public post-secondary institutions, covering all types of institution and every province and territory, was conducted in ...
Match: mooc; online learning

A cross-modal analysis of learning experience from a learner’s perspective
Nkuyubwatsi, Bernard
Abstract: Learning experience has been one of the most debated aspects of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). Various perceptions on learning experience offered by MOOCs have led to many claims about the quality of ...
Match: learning; online learning

A new ecology for learning: An online ethnographic study of learners’ participation and experience in connectivist MOOCs
Saadatmand, Mohsen; Kumpulainen, Kristiina; Ilsley, Paul
This dissertation focuses on Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) which have emerged and heralded as new online learning environments able to serve large numbers of students. Identifying two main types of MOOCs known as ...
Match: learning; online learning

Implementing multimedia content development strategy in open schooling: The experience of the Namibian College of Open Learning (NAMCOL)
Commonwealth of Learning; Namibian College of Open Learning
This manual was produced as a direct outcome of a Commonwealth of Learning (COL) funded project on capacity building in the production of multimedia learning resources in the context of open schooling. NAMCOL’s ...
Match: learning