Capitalizing On Virtual Teams Using Blackboard Marsha L. Bayless, ProfessorS. Ann Wilson, Associate ProfessorDepartment of General Business Stephen F. Austin State UniversityT-Bug2009

Virtual Teams in Online ClassesConsStudents want to work on their ownTrust issues with team membersNonverbal communication is difficultProsStudents do not have to arrange face to face meetingTimeGeography/DistanceSchedules

Definition of A Virtual TeamAlso known as a Geographically Dispersed Team (GDT) is a group of individuals who work across time, space, and organizational boundaries with links strengthened by webs of communication technology. They have complementary skills and are committed to a common purpose, have interdependent performance goals, and share an approach to work for which they hold themselves mutually accountable.Source: McNamara, C. (n.d.)

Steps for Better Virtual TeamsHave a face to face meeting for teams to meet or offer a similar alternativeHave students do smaller activities to develop trust and confidence before beginning on larger activitiesPromote student interaction in ways that you can view progress—such as through chats (you can view the logs) or discussions (you can view postings).

Steps ContinuedRequire a certain number of interactions, etc. or to follow a certain procedure (i.e. weekly postings)Hold team members accountableTeam evaluations (interim and final)Team pointsTeam self-assessmentsReview team progress on chats/discussions

Presentation Focus Two Online CoursesUndergraduate GBU 321 Information Technology – students are junior and senior business majors. Most are General Business Majors.GraduateBCM 578 Virtual Team Communication – students are in graduate programs such as MBA and MPA in College of Business and other programs in College of Education and the Division of Communication.

GBU 321Creating Community Discussion board introduction with photosSelect teams through team sign-upTeam InteractionTeam Chat RoomTeam Discussion BoardMini-unit assignments

BCM 578Building TrustFace to face meeting and alternativesNon-Blackboard Communication ChoicesMeeting software programsMeetings in Second Life

Questions and Comments