A collaborative writing activity using google doc

A google doc is an interesting place for a virtual team work for me. There are many steps to be taken to complete a final learning product. It is a powerful tool for collaborative writing and knowledge development. Here the designed writing task should be collaborative in nature to ensure and encourage collaborative learning. There can be 2 processes here: cooperation and collaboration. In the first process the group members split the work, solve sub-tasks individually and combine all the segments into a whole. But the second process is synchronous activity and the focus here is on the process of working together. Our homework for this coming week is cooperative as we can divide the parts and complete individually. There is a big concern here that some Ss will contribute very little and there is no penalty for each student's lack of participation, the task or assignment may not be taken seriously. So, as a teacher, I see that there are 3 factors to facilitate Ss' involvement in the task: even share of tasks, appreciation of different opinions and constant communication. A common score for the final work will also help so the Ss will work on the quality of the task.

If every member of the group contributes, is patient, builds mutual trust, is able to reach an agreement, develops social skills, makes efforts to complete the task and not to fail the group, this collaborative and unique experience will be enjoyable and productive. As a teacher, I would give my Ss more time to work together and to think together.