Collaboration in online classrooms promotes deeper learning, creativity, and knowledge sharing. For collaboration to be successful, a sense of community must exist where students feel comfortable contributing. Instructors need to set clear expectations, model communication, provide feedback, and evaluate the collaborative process. Key elements of successful collaboration include trust, shared goals, innovation, and constructive discussion of ideas. Groups are more likely to succeed when members have interdependence, promote each other's success, and are accountable both individually and as a group.