The document discusses the design of a group project for an online classroom to build community. It outlines three primary design goals: 1) designing the project to accomplish something that cannot be done individually, 2) designing authentic assessments of course objectives using group work, and 3) clearly defining project goals, processes, and evaluation criteria. Key considerations discussed include overcoming individualism, assigned vs self-selected groups, timing, and the instructor's role as facilitator vs micromanager.

1. Building Community in the Online Classroom through Group Work A Practical Application of Workshop Knowledge Presented by Lisa Marie Johnson and Kathy Miles TELECOOP 2004

2. Primary Design Goal #1 - Considerations What must the project achieve in process and outcome to be most effective as a group endeavor? Goal #1: Design group project to accomplish something that cannot be done or cannot be done as well by individuals alone. How to overcome negative prior group experiences? How to overcome competitive training (individualism) inherent to the competitive USAmerican education and show importance of collaboration?

6. Primary Design Goal #2 - Considerations How can the project work with objectives and competencies to be most authentic ? What objectives and competencies are best suited to a group project? Goal #2: Design authentic assessment of course objectives and competencies utilizing group work as the primary delivery method to build community. Should groups be assigned or self-selected ? When is the best time to implement the group project?

9. Primary Design Goal #3 - Considerations How involved should instructor become in the minutia of project? Facilitator or Micromanager? How will individuals and groups be evaluated? Goal #3 Design group project that clearly explains the goals, process and expected outcomes of collaboration and clearly defines evaluation criteria to be used. What kinds of final products should be allowed? What depth should instructions contain in terms of goals, procedures and outcomes?

14. Group Name Student Name Role(s): Step I: ___ Developing Action Plan (5 pts) ___ Posting Action Plan (5pts) ___ First Self & Group Weekly Evaluation (2pts) Notes: Step II: ___ Individual Research Abstract #1 (10pts) ___ Individual Research Abstract #2 (10pts) ___ Presentation Draft (15pts) ___ Second Self & Group Weekly EvaluationS(2pts) Notes: Step III: ___ First Constructive Draft Comment (5pts) ___ Second Constructive Draft Comment (5pts) ___ Presentation (25pts) ___ Third Self & Group Weekly Evaluation (2pts) Notes: Step IV: ___ Third Self & Group Weekly Evaluation (2pts) ___ Project Evaluation Survey (4pts) ___ Reaction Paper (10pts) Notes: Group Project Grade = /100 Example of Weekly evaluation sent via email to each learner individually.