Student-Centered Collaborative Learning in the Online Classroom: Perceptions of Virtual Group Projects

Vol. 3 No. 2

Year: 2007

Issue: Sep-Nov

Title: Student-Centered Collaborative Learning in the Online Classroom: Perceptions of Virtual Group Projects 

Author Name: B. Jean Mandernach, Emily Donnelli, Amber Dailey 

Synopsis: 

In early models of online instruction, learning activities and assessments relied primarily on threaded discussions or papers. But advances in online technology, and a growing trend to incorporate collaborative learning strategies, have lead to the emergence of online group projects. While student-centered learning activities such as group projects have a well-established history in traditional educational environments, the value of group work in the online classroom is less clear. A survey of experienced online students and faculty revealed inconsistent perceptions between these two groups concerning the value of group projects in virtual education. Online faculty report that group projects are a valuable tool as group work provides a realistic assessment of requisite professional skills. In contrast, online students indicate that group projects are counterproductive to their choice to pursue an online education. Discussion examines unique challenges to incorporating student-centered collaborative projects in the virtual classroom.