MASC LibGuide Resources

Chang, B., & Kang, H. (2016). Challenges Facing Group Work Online. Distance Education, 37(1), 73–88
Abstract: “Online group work can be complicated because of its asynchronous characteristics and lack of physical presence, and its requirements for skills in handling technology, human relationships, and content-related tasks. This study focuses on the administrative, logistical and relationship-related challenges in online group work. Challenges in areas such as commitment/responsibility, communication/coordination, structure/management, and leadership are discussed; strategies for how to streamline the management of online group work, how to decrease unnecessary logistical load and extra layers of structure, and how to improve online group work through the design of the syllabus are presented. The study suggests that instructors split group work into individual portions, use peer evaluation, establish guidelines for communication, use tools such as Google Drive to streamline duplicate works, monitor the process of the group work, and give group members freedom, ownership, and autonomy in their group work.”

Großer, B., & Baumöl, U. (2017). Why virtual teams work – State of the art. Procedia Computer Science, 121, 297–305
Abstract: “Teams in most work contexts work virtually to different degrees, for example in three-dimensional virtual environments. Regarding the development of new information and communication technology, an important question is, what influence the pervasion of innovative electronic devices, virtual and augmented reality as well as the respective software have on individual behavior and as a consequence on working processes. Industry as much as research embraces and analyzes processes and factors that influence virtual teamwork. In this paper a literature review is presented in order to merge findings of factors that influence the performance of virtual teamwork, such as the degree of virtuality and the presence of shared mental models. Results are presented as synthesis of these findings and a research agenda is derived.”

Tarricone, P. (2002). Successful teamwork: A case study. Research Outputs Pre 2011
Abstract: “Why are some teams successful and others unsuccessful? What criteria or attributes are needed for success? Contemporary teaching and learning practice over the past few years in higher education institutions has seen a proliferation of open-ended constructivist learning designs that incorporate collaboration. This has promoted the need for identifying essential attributes needed for successful teamwork. This study reviews the literature with a view of identifying a framework that educators can use to help promote effective teamwork in their classes. A case study is used to investigate two teams of final year multimedia students completing a project-based unit, in which teamwork was an essential ingredient and immersed in an authentic context. Attributes gleaned from the literature for successful teamwork was used to compare the two diverse teams.”