Virtual student teams

Abstract

In this panel presentation, the five members will discuss their experiences of working with students in virtual teams. They will share some of the issues and problems they have had and also highlight some of the opportunities and challenges for students working collaboratively together.The virtual student team is defined as a group of students who have come together to perform a certain task and who communicate electronically to achieve that task. Student groups are transformed into teams with structure, purpose and the potential to achieve effective project work. The teams are temporary in that they may exist for a semester or for the life of a particular assessment task or project. Virtual student teams are usually geographically dispersed and thus often have members who are culturally different. There is a heavy reliance on the use of ICT for communication and collaboration within the team.The members of the panel have all had some research experience with teams and teamwork. They have all had different experiences with setting up and managing virtual student teams.