Synchronous Group Work

Overview

It is important to provide students opportunities to participate in peer-to-peer interactions, especially in the online environment. Having students work in groups is a good way to promote engagement and reduce feelings of being 'isolated' from the class.

 

Live Collaborations via Zoom 

Students can use Zoom or another synchronous tool to meet live and work on a project or assignment. Make sure Download students know how to use Zoom

. Always provide instructions or assistance for any technology being used and ensure they have access and have a backup plan for any accessibility or technical issues.

 

Creating Student Groups in Canvas

If you want students to work in groups for a project or assignment, you can put them into groups using the People tool in Canvas and creating a Group Set (project name).

groups

Image of group set

 

Creating Student Groups in Canvas Video

Play media comment.

Video of group creation

 

Canvas Collaborations

The collaborations tool in Canvas is essentially Google Docs. Students can synchronously create a document, spreadsheet, or presentation slides. There are a few ways to use the collaborations tool:

  • When you create student groups in Canvas, each group is given their own homepage which contains a Collaborations tool. You can think of this tool as Google Docs because it allows students in the group to edit a document synchronously. They can also collaborate on a Google spreadsheet or Google slides. The instructor can access and provide feedback on the group's document.

An individual group's homepage (below) shows the tools the group can use. You can also switch between groups (noted in image) to check on how each groups' synchronous time is being used.

 

collaborations

Image: A student group's homepage

 

  • In your course, you can have each group create their own collaborative document using the  course collaborations tool. Students can arrange with their group when to work on their team's  document at the same time, or asynchronously. 

Collaborations

Image of collaboration tool

 

Best Practices

  • Create graded or ungraded group discussions 
  • Assign group or individual grades
  • Provide tailored feedback to each group
  • Have a project launch via Zoom session by having students work in groups using the breakout rooms tool to get their project ideas moving along. You offer guidance and support. 
  • Meet synchronously for peer review of each others group project.
  • Try not to use synchronous group project work too much since much of the group work can be done outside of a whole class meeting.
  • Encourage students to meet up with their groups synchronously online about once a week.

 

Additional Resources