Collaborative teaching and learning practices between schools is at a beginning stage. Often these practices involve the use of technology which is new to many teachers. This session introduces a change management process which addresses the level of concern each participant may be encountering and points to understanding how a managed approach can lead to successful communication and collaboration.

1. Building Collaborative Communities
Online
A CSU Learning Initiative
Roy Crotty
Lecturer in Teacher Librarianship
School of Information Studies

2. CONTEXT
Students develop a Powerpoint presentation within a group
situation – groups of 3 or 4
Group members have never met
Group members may never meet
Group membership randomly developed
Members geographically and possibly time isolated
May not have been previously involved in this form of
communication and collaborative activity
Group members have a common task

3. Assignment
Develop a Powerpoint presentation for an editorial panel of a
journal NOT associated with teacher librarians
12 -15 slides
Content related to one of four objectives:
Leadership
Organisational theory
Strategic planning
Developing mission statements
Fifth objective – communication & collaboration

4. CBAM Model of Change
Concerns
Based
Adoption
Model

5. Levels of Concern
Renewal
Integration
Refinement
Routine Use
Mechanical Use
Preparation
Non-use / Awareness

6. Communication 1
Students are given the email address of other group members
Asked to introduce themselves
Only required to offer information they feel comfortable to
share
Arrange to meet regularly
Discussion of topic begins
“I was so unsure of what to say until I discovered everyone
else felt the same.”

7. Communication 2
Students introduced to Neatchat
Synchronous communication begins
Objective & Topic selection completed
Tasks allocated
“ I began to feel more comfortable within myself when I could
communicate with them online. I enjoyed using Neatchat and
waiting for responses to my queries.”
“I can see my students using this tool.”

8. NeatChat

9. Communication 3
Students introduced to Skype
Synchronous group communication
Increasing efficiency of communication
Reducing ‘noise’, increasing information flow
Voice, and possibly facial expression, can now be added

10. Skype Comments
“Wow!”
“And it’s free…”
“Has increased our communication efficiency markedly and the
number of times we meet.”
“These people are now my friends more than just being group
members.”
“I’ve become a Skype junkie.”
“What’s next?”

11. Subject FAQ Wiki

12. Collaboration
Google Docs is introduced with assistance
Allows online, real-time collaboration
Can be accessed anywhere
Youtube video provides evidence of benefits
Powerpoint can be uploaded or created on Google Docs

13. Communication/Collaboration
Students now have both communication and collaboration
tools
Enhances and empowers the group and each member to
produce a quality product
Ultimate situation:
Group members on Skype simultaneously and collaboratively
editing the Powerpoint presentation using Google Docs.

14. Levels of Concern
Renewal
Integration
Refinement
Routine Use
Mechanical Use
Preparation
Non-use / Awareness

15. Questions
Roy Crotty
Charles Sturt University
rcrotty@csu.edu.au
roy.crotty (Skype)
02 6933 2703