Virtual Collaboration Project

Now that we have our teams for the group collaboration project it is time to get cracking. Our group held our first meeting through the Sakai discussion forum facility and we decided to create a thread for this week’s first meeting in order to store the information which we had discussed in an organised manner. We designated the different tools that we each decided to examine and I chose Skype VoIP(video conferencing). Skype video conferencing immediately had one major advantage over discussion forums as it is a synchronous tool. I also found that the group came to a united decision much faster when using Skype rather than in the discussion forum where they had to wait for a reply. Since starting this project I have even begun to use Skype much more on a personal basis. I think this module is definitely very helpful in enabling us to learn how to adapt collaboration tools to many different situations.

Some Reflections on Teamwork.

This is a short video about successful Teams: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnQ1twXHPLc&feature=related

An almost perfect example of teamwork is shown by the USNavy Blue Angels in an interesting video which they produced called The Power of Teamwork. This video provides the Blue Angel’s secrets to successful teamwork and I think it also applies to any sort of team, be it virtual or otherwise. Follow the link here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mR0_SK1K8xY&feature=related

Here are some of the videos guidelines along with some of my own that I learned whilst completing this project:

·         Teams should share the same values and goals to ensure optimum team performance.

·         Team members should sacrifice individual gain for the greater good of the team.

·         Effective leaders lead by a positive example and tap into the strengths and talents of each team member.

·         Teams need to communicate openly, honestly and regularly. The video also emphasises the need for trust amongst team members which I think can sometimes be quite difficult in a virtual team where there is little face-to-face interaction.

·         Each team member should be valued and their efforts should be praised with positive feedback.

·         Team member’s roles and tasks should be clearly defined so as to avoid conflict.

·         Each team member should accept responsibility for their role’s and tasks.

Finally, here is light hearted yet insightful look at teamwork inspiration. It might even give some of you a laugh after finishing the project. Some very valid points made too. I will leave it at that for today, enjoy! ;) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SII1EU3huuE&feature=related