Group collaboration and effective tools in online education

Abstract

In college teaching with adult students, encouraging critical thinking, problem solving and teamwork with project-based learning can be challenging. Group project is a great assignment showing students the relevance to real world practices and promoting active learning with joy. However, many college students showed low satisfaction with working as a group to research and write a report. Many of these students complained that some group members did not put forth effort into the group work, but took the credit. The purpose of this paper is to present effective collaboration tools and active learning activities in E-learning. Advanced communication and technological tools, especially web-based tools become an important issue for educators to optimize student uses and to sustain a high level of engagement in disciplinary contents. This paper also discusses the results from the survey questionnaire with 236 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in classes between 2014 -2016. The data shows the 11 tools ranking how helpful students perceived them. The finding of this study can support online course developers and educators in maximizing the use of Web-based tools, and today's technology in group meeting and collaboration.