The Dynamics of Online Collaboration: Team Task, Team Development, Peer Relationship, and Communication Media

Abstract

This chapter aims to help readers build a solid understanding of the complexdynamics of online collaborative learning from multiple perspectives, and thusbecome more capable to utilize different instructional strategies to achieve pro-ductive online collaboration. On the basis of extensive review and integration ofresearch from multiple disciplines, the authors discuss the dynamics of online col-laborative learning from four aspects: team task, team development, member rela-tionship, and communication media, with one section designated to each of them.The sections each comprise presentation of the issue, theoretical frameworks, sug-gested strategies, and how it relates to other aspect(s), as applicable. The chapterconcludes with implications for practice in online collaborative learning andfuture research for managing learning in virtual collaborative environments. Thischapter is considered a valuable artifact to guide practice and research in onlinecollaborative learning in various settings.