Team Activities

When developing team activities in an online course, the instructor needs to take the time to build a relationship among the team members before assigning the specific task to the team by using effective introductory and icebreaker activities that draw the group together.  Once this relationship is developed the group can begin to work on the assigned team project.  Differences in the learning styles of the team members can impact their understanding of the project itself and how the teams progresses.   Visual learners need to see what they have to do, auditory learners need to hear what they have to do, and tactile learners need to have a chance to do some hands on work related to the project. 

Effective team members whether face-to-face in a classroom or online need to take personal responsibility for the group project.  This can be accomplished by the following:  Bond with your team-members; Clearly identify the work required; Identify the tasks that you will need to do to accomplish the goal; Simplify the tasks and break them up in to individuals steps; Coordinate your time; Develop a communication plan; Recognize conflict among team members and resolve it quickly; Review tasks and deadlines often; Redefine the outcomes as you go; and build rewards for work with each other (e-Learners, 2007).

The effective instructor in the online course will take into consideration the variation in learning styles of their learners in design of the course and in the coordination of team activities.  Creating team activities that incorporate the needs of all three learning styles will be the most successful.

References:

e-Learners. (2007). How to Survive Virtual Group Work. Retrieved January 6, 2010, from Guide to online education: http://www.elearners.com/guide-to-online-education/how-to-survive-virtual-group-work.asp