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Video 5.4
Source: eCampus Ontario
Length: 0:39

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Digital collaboration using platforms like Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace, Slack, and Trello has become common in educational and professional contexts. As a post-secondary learner, you will need to interact cooperatively and respectfully with others in a digital environment, utilizing digital tools to facilitate the co-construction of knowledge, meaning, and content. As a professional, there is a high chance that you will need to use digital collaboration skills to engage in group projects, research initiatives, and collaborative problem solving tasks.

The following sections will help you and Shayan develop the Digital Collaboration skills you need as post-secondary learners and professionals. You will learn about:

• collaborating online,
• video conferencing, and
• balance and self-awareness. 

Collaborating Online

Collaborating online is an efficient way for post-secondary learners and professionals to work together on projects, whether they are working in the same physical space or virtually across different locations. As a learner, there are several digital collaboration tools you may need to use in group projects, including Google Workspace, Microsoft Teams, Dropbox, and Slack.

Digital collaboration tools have many benefits for post-secondary and work projects, such as:

Image 5.18

Source: eCampus Ontario

Description: The benefits of digital collaboration tools are listed: 1) organized and centralized project files, 2) synchronous and asynchronous collaboration among team members, 3) ability to simultaneously access and edit project files, 4) increased efficiency and accountability, 5) documentation of project activities, and 6) cloud storage for greater flexibility.

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Here are a few helpful tips for engaging in online collaboration.

• Have a kick-off meeting to map out a group charter (i.e., an agreement about group rules of engagement).
• Decide what collaborative tools your group will use.
• Ensure each group member has the necessary technology to participate.
• Define team members’ roles and responsibilities (e.g., leader, organizer, editor, researcher, writer, troubleshooter, presenter).
• Create a project plan with a timeline, clear objectives, and contingencies.
• Create a communication plan, including regular check-in meetings.
• Establish an organization and naming system for project files.
• Establish a process for peer review and feedback.

Microsoft Teams is a common digital collaboration tool used in the post-secondary context. Watch this video to learn how Microsoft Teams can help you collaborate online!

Video 5.5
Source: Microsoft 365. (2019, November 13). How to use Microsoft Teams for student group projects [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yn0WtuiPOIU 
Length: 4:40

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Along with Microsoft Teams, here are some other popular digital collaboration tools for you to explore!

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Read more about how to collaborate effectively in your post-secondary coursework (Greene & Mackie, 2022)!

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Video Conferencing

In your post-secondary coursework and as a professional, you will likely need to engage in video conferencing to collaborate with others. Video conferencing is an online meeting that enables people to communicate with each other through video and audio in real time over the internet, supporting collaboration across multiple physical locations and parts of the world. Video conferencing has gained widespread popularity in recent years due to technological advancements and the increased prevalence of online learning and remote work. In addition, video job interviews have become a common way for employers to connect with job seekers from around the world.

Video conferencing offers many benefits, including (Microsoft 365 Team, 2022):

• improved communication
• relationship building
• time and money savings
• streamlined collaboration
• improved efficiency
• increased productivity
• facilitated scheduling
• accurate record keeping
• ability to host live events

You can read more about the benefits of video conferencing from Microsoft.

As a post-secondary learner, you may need to participate in classes, webinars, or meetings hosted via video conferencing tools such as Zoom or Cisco Webex. These video conferencing tools offer many valuable features, including screen sharing, annotating, whiteboard, chat, breakout rooms, and recording. 

Click on the checkmarks to see some helpful tips to consider before participating in a video conference.

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Watch this video to learn more about video conferencing etiquette for learners.

Video 5.6
Source: The Learning Portal / Le Portail d’Apprentissage. (2020, July 3). Zoom Etiquette [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDFBGMHbPRw 
Length: 2:05

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Along with Zoom and Cisco Webex, there are several video conferencing tools to choose from. Many of these tools have free versions, and some are probably provided by your post-secondary institution. Here are a few to explore! 

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Learn how to participate in classes and meetings using Zoom and Cisco Webex (The Learning Portal, n.d.)!

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Activity

Let’s help Shayan review what he’s learned about engaging in digital collaboration.

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