How To collaborate For online assignments: Tips for virtual group work

Whether you have opted for online or in-class sessions, Australian universities like the University of Sydney, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, the University of New Queensland, and many more encourage students for group work. Different types of projects are assigned to each group and proper collaboration and a similar mindset are required for achieving optimal success.

Working together with others physically is much easier than completing the project virtually from remote locations. Usually, online projects are assigned to groups during holidays or mid-session breaks and it becomes quite challenging for students to maintain decorum and achieve ultimate success. 

Since assignments need to be completed for on-time delivery, you need to learn a few tips and tricks for collaborating with other members of the group remotely. In this below article, we have illustrated a few best practices that will help you work cohesively within your group and complete the project assigned from remote locations without any conflict. 

Clear communication is the key

To make things work and ensure there is no conflict between all the group members, you need proper communication. It should be clear, precise, and polite so that no one feels inferior while working together on something as crucial as a university project or coursework assignment.

To do so, first, define the tools you will use to communicate, like Microsoft Teams, Skype, Zoom Call, and many more. Several universities offer these tools to students who will be working on an online group project to foster clear communication. Also, define the communication mode to be used for different purposes, like chats and messages for quick connection or an online video call for detailed discussion. 

Define appropriate roles and responsibilities

You need to have proper roles and responsibilities in the group. Not having these will create chaos later on, leading to a waste of both time and effort. So, first, assign the roles amongst yourself based on the responsibilities. For example, you need to decide the person who will gather information and conduct thorough research and the member who will be responsible for formatting the assignment. Play with the strengths of every member while assigning tasks so that you can combine the goodness of everyone. 

Set the project goals and deadlines

Clearly mention your project goals and objectives. For example, divide the entire assignment into smaller sections, like information gathering, research, content curation, editing and formatting, citation, proofreading, arrangement, and many more. Set a proper and strict timeline for every action to be taken on the assignment, straight from discussing the topic to printing hard copies or distributing the soft copies of the project. Also, use project management tools to track the progress in real time and assign tasks to individual members clearly. 

Foster a collaborative ambiance

You need to maintain a collaborative atmosphere to ensure optimal success of the online group work. Ensure everyone is comfortable in sharing information or placing their opinions out in the front without hesitation. An ice-breaking session and brainstorming will be quite effective in helping you foster collaboration and encourage participation at the individual level.

Also, it would be best to acknowledge the contributions of others, like passing a praising comment or acknowledging your team member’s viewpoint. This will motivate them to work collaboratively without harboring any grudge against one another. 

Focus on active listening and information sharing

Active listening lays the cornerstone of success for an online group activity. Even if you do not think the person is right, have patience and let him or her complete the statement. Listen to what others have to say because their inputs may bring a huge change to the project’s track and add more value to the assignment’s weightage.

Also, share information without any constraint. You need to remember that a group project is not a one-man army. Rather, every member has to work properly and collaboratively to ensure it is successful. After all, your professor will be scoring all the members equally based on the single assignment submitted. Hence, there is no space for individual gain or loss. 

Deal with conflicts smartly and constructively

As Shakespeare once said, “Empty vessels make the greatest sound”, you need to acknowledge that conflicts will arise when working with others, especially on an online project. But it should be on you to handle these conflicts and prevent them from escalating. Be smart and deal with the issues within the team constructively.

For instance, if someone is not satisfied with the tasks assigned or thinks that their talent is not utilized properly, you should focus on resolving the conflict through one-to-one discussion and re-evaluating your project plan. Adjustments should come from everyone so that the team is flexible. 

Conclusion 

Now that we have explained the best practices to overcome challenges and work collaboratively in a team, you wouldn’t face problems in completing the online group work on time. If you need professional guidance in understanding the topic's complexity or research work, do not refrain from contacting us at Digi Assignment Help. 

 

Top Blogs