Online group learning confidently provides an ideal environment in which interaction among students impact on learning processes. There are many challenges which one encounters with online group studying. Some of these challenges include; student hatred towards group work, the diversity and selection of groups, the one student known as the free- rider, and the lack of critical groupwork skills among students,
Student Hatred towards group work- Majority of students prefer working alone as they feel that they work best on their own. Students adopt a don’t care mentality when asked to work in a group and this impacts on the learning process largely. Students may also underestimate others within the group and think of them as less capable. Online studying requires time, online group learning requires a lot more time. Students may feel that they can not spare the time to meet and communicate with others. The solution to this problem would be to educate students on the benefits of online group learning as many are ignorant towards the benefits. Some of the benefits include; improving on negotiating skills, developing a relationship with others, coping with stressful situation, building teamwork expertise, and building a framework for online group learning.
Diversity and selection of groups. The difficulty arises when it comes to the arrangement of groups. Out of schedule sessions become a problem when students commitments coincide. The size and complexity of the task surely does determine the size of the group. Large online groups may not always work well together. Students may choose to be with friends, and this may hinder the end goal from being achieved. It is extremely important to select groups with a diversity of age, gender and cultural backgrounds. To solve this problem, the lecturer would have to select random heterogenous groups. Students will deliver best if exposed to diversity.
Lack of critical group skills. Group work is hard work, both emotionally and physically. Instructors need to foster students group skills over time and prepare students for online group work. Students will have a poor unproductive experience with online group studying if they aren’t prepped adequately. The solution to this problem is to ensure that students are motivated, enthusiastic and aware of the skills and resources needed for online group learning at the introduction of the course. Some of the skills that need to be stressed at the introduction of the course are; group facilitation, teamwork, responsibilities and time management.
There is always that “free-rider” when it comes to online group learning. The free rider is a common term used when one or more students in the group does little or no work. This decreases the group’s ability to perform at optimal capacity. It is frustrating when the task falls on one or two students to do the bulk of it and everyone is credited for work that was not completed in their capacity. The solution to this problem would be for the instructor to exert pressure on those students who fall back. It is vital for lectures to implement assessment rules prior to the group work. Lecturers need to delegate roles themselves to students and monitor progress to ensure that all students contribute equally.
The above article aids to identify and solve challenges encountered through online group learning.
Roberts, T. S., & McInnerney, J. M. (2007). Seven Problems of Online Group Learning (and Their Solutions). Educational
Technology & Society, 10 (4), 257-268.
Roberts, T. S., & McInnerney, J. M. (2007). Seven Problems of Online Group Learning (and Their Solutions). Educational Technology & Society, 10 (4), 257-268.
Kavisha Seevnarain 