What are some of the benefits and challenges of online collaboration for students and teachers?

I taught college and high school online classes before, during & after Covid. Some students who normally wouldn't have raised their hand to contribute in class felt more comfortable participating. I was able to connect with a school about 20 miles away and we did some group projects and presented to each other. Having the other school to collaborate with added an exciting layer. Communication and collaboration in project based learning as well as the public speaking piece is educationally sound. They may not get that anywhere else in high school.

If it's done usefully, this gives an interesting channel to engage intraverts, deep thinkers, and maybe those that just aren't loud that day. All too often, the louder ones dominate work meetings while some brilliant ideas might be held by those quiet, or not able to express the complex idea in words. Online channels, along with real-time and in person, have a powerful angle to serve learners.

I used breakout room which added private time for groups to work where I could pop in and have discussions I maybe couldn't have in a large group setting. I also built in "office hours" that students would have schedule meeting time to talk about their research and ideas when in the beginning stages of their projects. I loved doing fun motivational activities and ice breakers the first few minutes of class. One time I sent out a list of house hold items like a scavenger hunt to bring to the online class. I have 5 points extra for participation. Or if you wore school colors on "game day". This was a great way to build excitement. Adding brain break activities in the middle of class helped too.

I think building or working in learning management systems support learning environments. I used Blackboard, Canva and Google Classroom for assignments, tests, discussion boards, presentation sharing and much more. Students relied on LMS platforms for help from each other on the question board and to send me messages for help in a timely basis.

Online collaboration in education brings numerous benefits to students, including increased engagement, motivation, and performance. It also helps develop essential communication skills, allows for personalized learning experiences, and leverages technology for effective learning. By embracing online collaboration, educators can create dynamic and inclusive learning environments that prepare students for success.

It's important for educators to be aware of these challenges and proactively address them to ensure a successful online collaborative learning environment. By incorporating strategies to overcome these obstacles, teachers can create a positive and inclusive online collaboration experience for their students.

These are just a few examples, and there are many other tools available, each with its own unique features and functions. When selecting an online collaboration tool, it's important to consider the specific needs and goals of the collaborative activity, the technical requirements, and the ease of use for both students and teachers. It's also worth exploring the privacy and security features of the tools to ensure compliance with educational regulations and safeguard student data. Ultimately, the choice of online collaboration tools should align with the objectives of the collaborative activities and contribute to creating a seamless and engaging collaborative learning experience.

By carefully considering these factors, you can make informed decisions about which online collaboration tools best meet the needs of your students and teachers, enhance the learning experience, and align with your educational goals and objectives.