Most instructors know that they need to be guides-on-the-side, but getting online students to complete group activities without relying on constant instructor intervention can be quite challenging. This workshop focuses on strategies for increasing learner agency when planning, implementing and guiding virtual teams and team activities in online courses.
In attempts to increase student-student interaction in an online course through the incorporation of group work, instructors face many challenges. Often, instead of taking the role of guide-on-the-side, the instructor becomes a mediator of conflicts, or worse, assumes the role of group leader. This workshop presents strategies that will increase learner agency in online group activities, and decrease dependence on instructor intervention. Strategies include the use of team charters, intermediate team evaluations, and the use of both synchronous and asynchronous tools to increase interaction between group members. Participants will receive hands-on experience through a simulated group work experience.