OER – Mobile Collaboration

Welcome to Week 7!

For this week’s Moveable Feast, we are hosting on the world of Mobile Collaboration. The nature of how we interact using mobile devices is constantly changing. This opens up several possibilities in the benefits and future of collaborative activities in learning environments, but also complicates the challenges and considerations that should be taken into account. 

We address the above points and other aspects of collaboration through mobile devices in our Google Site: https://sites.google.com/view/etec523-a2mobilecollaboration 

As you explore our OER, please complete the following activities:

  1. A collaborative Padlet activity at the bottom of our Introduction page, asking the question “what is your personal definition of mobile collaboration?”.
  2. Another Padlet activity near the end of the OER on our Future Trends of Mobile Collaboration asking you to respond to a question and use generative AI integrated into the platform.

After you have gone through our OER, we encourage you to engage in the blog discussion by answering one or more of the questions below:

  1. What are your thoughts about the element of human connection and mobile collaboration? Do you feel you “lose” anything by collaborating with mobile devices?
  2. Please share examples of successful strategies employed in mobile collaboration platforms to encourage user engagement and participation. Additionally, discuss any instances where you’ve encountered challenges, along with the lessons learned from those experiences. 
  3. After completing the Padlet activity in “Future Trends of Mobile Collaboration”, what were your impressions on the integration of generative AI? Do you think it enhances the experience of collaborating through mobile devices? 

Lynn & Richard


( Average Rating: 4.5 )

16 responses to “OER – Mobile Collaboration”

  1. clareyeh

    Hello Lynn and Richard,

    What a detailed OER! I was able to take my time and learn so much from your detailed project. It was tricky trying to define mobile collaboration as I found that the definition needed certain key words to make the idea prominent. This included mobile device, connection, activity, post, and digital world. To get straight to it, I don’t think mobile collaboration will ever replace human connection but it has enabled so many of us to communicate our needs and wants with our fingers, wi-fi, and using digital apps/platforms. What I admire is the ability to connect to family and friends through wi-fi when service is out or when we’re oversea. I can be convenient, enjoyable, and meaningful, if you make it to be. It is also versatile where communication an happen in various group settings for social, educational, and personal reasons.

    To an extent there are positives that we rely on everyday – to get the word out, to celebrate, to share, to speak our mind, etc. Although there are limitations. I think these companies play mind games with us as they include functions in our digital communication processes, that make us uneasy and anxious. I don’t enjoy the ‘read’ or ‘delivered’ receipts and yet I understand why they’re there. Finally, there’s an idea of online digital etiquette that seems to be very surface-level and adds another layer of digital consequence, allowing users to be misunderstood.


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  2. olivia barratt

    Hi Lynn and Richard! Apologies for the late reply – it was a busy end of school year. I did have a look at your OER last week, I haven’t had chance to really answer your discussion questions. First of all, GREAT OER. It is clear, well organized and informative. I appreciate the links to learning theories and the collaborative activities such as the padlet. I will attempt to answer your first question.

    1. What are your thoughts about the element of human connection and mobile collaboration? Do you feel you “lose” anything by collaborating with mobile devices?

    I am still confused as to how I see the human connection in mobile colalboration. While it does make it easier to connect with other human beings in the work place or just generally socially, some nuances of human connection can be lost. For instance, spontaneity in interactions, non-verbal cues, and a much deeper sense of camaraderie that can be found in person that is much more difficult to find through a screen. For example, I have found since the integration of Teams at my school, I am much more lonely at work. I use to have a great sense of community in my work place but since most communication can be done online, I rarely see my co-workers. Teaching can already be an isolating experience and I find that mobile collaboration can sometimes make that experience even more lonely.


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  3. Joel Flanagan

    Hello Lynn and Richard,

    Thank you, Lynn and Richard, for your insightful OER. Your wealth of experience and knowledge in the field of education is evident in the perspectives you’ve shared. I appreciate the opportunity to learn from your experiences.

    Thinking back on some of the experiences I’ve seen in high school, the successful strategies in employing mobile collaboration platforms would be the real-time communication possibilities offered. I think about a group project where a student could not attend class due to illness. That student could log in remotely, discuss with their classmates, and work on things from home, adding to the group dynamic. The communication tools built into the software, especially in chat and real-time editing, made for a better group dynamic in creating the project. I feel this highlights the Enhanced Interaction and Increased Flexibility and Accessibilty components talked about in your OER.

    One of the challenges with younger learners is that many students may have had a limited amount of exposure to the software and thus need to learn how to use it. Demonstration and modelling play important aspects in showcasing it to students. Having groups of students in classes allows them to share knowledge and ask questions in a one on one or a small group, especially where they would be hesitant to ask in a whole group situation.


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    1. Lynn

      Hi Joel!

      Thank you for your feedback on our OER and for sharing your experiences with mobile collaboration platforms.

      I agree that one of the major advantages of mobile technologies is real-time communication which helps to support continuous communication and collaboration, and fosters a collaborative learning environment.

      You’ve also brought up an important point about the challenges learners face when first introduced to these technologies. Providing guides and demonstrations to orient new learners to the platform is crucial in helping students become comfortable and proficient with new tools. Encouraging small group interactions and creating in-class or online spaces where students can share knowledge and ask questions in a less intimidating setting, is also an excellent strategy to support their learning process.

      Lynn


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  4. Kevin Dontas

    Hi Lynn and Richard,

    Awesome OER! Such a well-rounded approach to mobile collaboration. I really appreciated the highlighting of both benefits and challenges in your work, which is why I would also like to respond to the question you’ve posed: “What are your thoughts about the element of human connection and mobile collaboration? Do you feel you “lose” anything by collaborating with mobile devices?”

    I feel like the blatant answer would be, of course we lose things when we collaborate on mobile devices. The human element of face-to-face interaction: conveying complex emotions, recognizing non-verbal communication, utilizing tone, and more are all either lost or changed when we collaborate with mobile devices; for example, texting probably inhibits or limits these the most. However, examples like face-time starts to be less constraining; we start to see people in a more human way. So, I feel there is a spectrum with mobile technologies which is also getting more sophisticated and better at connecting the human side of things.

    In looking to the “future trends of mobile collaboration” section of your OER and looking to possibilities for VR that you’ve mentioned, (or AR), I feel the reduction of human connection gets significantly smaller and smaller. With VR and AR, collaborators could “face-time” in a way that actually feels like you are standing in the presence of someone else, at one point even utilizing a specific person’s facial features, not just avatars. There is a power and humanness to feeling like you are beside someone, even if it is just in a VR/AR chatroom. As the technology gets better, I feel like the human connection lost through mobile collaboration would be near insignificant.


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    1. Lynn

      Hi Kevin,

      Thank you for sharing your thoughts on our OER!

      I completely agree with your perspective on the element of human connection in mobile collaboration. The nuances of face-to-face interactions—like conveying complex emotions, recognizing non-verbal cues, and tone—are often affected when we use mobile devices. Texting, for instance, often limits these aspects the most. However, as you pointed out, technologies like FaceTime mitigate some of these limitations by allowing us to see and hear each other in real-time, which helps in restoring a bit of that human element.

      As mobile technologies continue to advance, they are becoming more adept at preserving and enhancing our human connection. Looking towards the future, the potential of VR and AR, for example, to revolutionize mobile collaboration is particularly exciting. These technologies could enable interactions that feel remarkably lifelike. For example, a VR meeting where you can see and interact with colleagues’ avatars that closely mimic their real-life appearances and expressions can significantly enhance the sense of presence and connection, making remote collaboration feel almost as natural as being in the same room.

      Furthermore, emerging research and technologies in AI are pushing the boundaries even further. Real-time holographic technologies for example, powered by AI will (hopefully) continue to advance, allowing for seamless, interactive experiences that simulate face-to-face interactions regardless of physical distance.

      As VR, AR, and AI continue to evolve, I share your optimism that the gap in human connection during mobile collaboration will become increasingly negligible. These advancements hold great promise for creating more immersive and human-centric collaborative experiences.

      Lynn


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  5. Jazz Chapman

    Hi Richard and Lynn,

    I appreciated your focus on the educational impacts of Mobile Collaboration. You mentioned in your resource that educators’ perceptions lean towards the belief that cell phones have no place in the classroom.

    In Ontario, the government has officially made a plan to “Crack Down on Cellphone Use” (https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1004501/ontario-cracking-down-on-cellphone-use-and-banning-vaping-in-schools). When reviewing this plan, there are various gaps that need to be addressed. For example, they are only allowing access to certain applications on school devices, which can cause a lot of frustration. Currently, AI applications and citation services are being blocked. However, when considering cell phone usage, adding blocks to the WiFi is ineffective because most students use a VPN or have their own unlimited data plans, which allow them access to everything.

    I frequently see students using mobile communication through apps like iMessage, Text, Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok, and more. As an educator, I observe them abusing these forms of mobile communication. I am actively trying to find ways to leverage this situation. After completing this assignment, what suggestions do you have for me in terms of leveraging mobile communication in my classroom in a way that benefits student learning? How do we help students understand that mobile communication is more than just using Snapchat, but also involves participating in interactive presentations and communicating on digital forums?

    I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
    Jasmine Chapman


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    1. Lynn

      Hi Jasmine!

      Thank you for sharing your experiences with mobile devices/communication in educational settings, as well as the article regarding the Ontario government’s plan to limit cellphone use in schools. The restrictions on access to certain applications and services can be quite limiting, and it’s unfortunate that helpful applications such as many AI applications and citation services are also blocked, as they hold significant educational potential. AI is a powerful tool that will continue to evolve, and most students today will likely use some form of this technology in their future careers. In my view, it’s best to mindfully and strategically expose students to AI rather than avoiding it. It’s essential for students to develop the skills to responsibly and effectively utilize these tools, and it’s important to fostering responsible digital citizenship.

      To answer your question about using mobile collaboration tools to enhance student learning, here are a few ideas I’ve researched. While my perspective comes from corporate training and may be more geared towards adult learners, some suggestions worth exploring include:

      – Using social media platforms for project-based learning and assigning projects that specifically require the use of mobile devices. For example, students can create short documentary videos, conduct surveys/research, or develop multimedia presentations, such as short-form videos or explanatory videos on specific topics using mobile devices and creative/social media apps. This can help to foster creativity and a deeper understanding of the subject matter, build mobile digital content creation skills, as well as mobile collaboration skills. Students can collaborate during the learning process, document that process, and share project results with other students.

      A benefit is that these platforms provide another form of expression and multiple means of engagement (via audio and visuals) for students to demonstrate their learning. Moreover, I feel that it’s also important to strategically incorporate social media into learning as these are platforms students will likely use in their personal and professional lives. For instance, workers in my context frequently collaborate, share ideas, and continuously create both professional and learning communities via platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn.

      – When it comes to texting and platform such as iMessages, creating groups or forums for students to collaborate, ask questions, or to share ideas can be helpful in creating a means for students to interact both with other students and with teachers as well.

      – While I haven’t used Snapchat myself, I think it could be a valuable tool for fostering engagement and for building collaborative and social learning communities. For example, students could share glimpses and short videos of classroom activities or the process of working together on projects with their fellow students. I’d be curious to hear if others in the class have any suggestions or experiences to share regarding the use of this platform.

      – It can also be helpful to provide digital wellness workshops where students learn to set their own digital boundaries and enforce positive screen time, ensuring that their screen time is both productive and beneficial.

      I hope these suggestions are helpful and I look forward to hearing additional ideas from others.

      Thanks!

      Lynn


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  6. Sam Paterson

    Hi folks,

    Great job on your OER! It was easy to navigate, well-organized and got straight to the point on several very helpful topics around mobile collaboration. In navigating your site, I remarked that mobile collaboration is something that I just take for granted, and not something that I take much time to reflect on. Thank you for that opportunity.
    My reflection on the Introduction Padlet was one of the most challenging, which surprised me a bit. I had a really hard time putting my personal definition of ML into words! I took the angle of elementary education, but it was still hard to put a point on it. The second Padlet was a fun activity and is something I could see doing with my students. “I can’t draw” is a common complaint I hear, so this would be a fun twist on that.

    I also chose the second question to answer, and I will share a bit about my experiences with Google Classroom. I first began using it about 6 years ago, and it has served me fairly well. The main thing I use it for is a hub for students to use to access documents, links, and files. Students can easily share ideas, work with others, ask for feedback, and do so all while using whatever device they have access to. It was glitchy at first, but has remained on par with, or ahead of its competitors over the intervening years.

    It is basically just an interface for Google Workspace tools like Docs, Slides, Sheets etc. and it has an impressive number of tools and sites fully integrated into it at this point. I used to dread assigning work to be done online (especially with young learners), because there would always be issues with files being deleted, not shared properly, or privacy being sacrificed while sharing. This is no longer an issue with a central, user-friendly collaboration platform that pulls directly from our shared Google Drives. I think that this streamlining of the frustrating sharing processes that bogged down collaboration in the “early Internet” is a key feature of having a high-quality mobile collaboration tool. This goes for adults, even more so than young students.

    However, there is one major weakness that has become apparent as I have used it over the years. The need for collaboration, and the software and tools to enable it, often extends beyond a single physical classroom and Google has debuted new, improved means to do so many times over the last five years or so. The results have always been lackluster. They seem to be an attempt to tweak existing systems to allow teachers to share resources, or link together students from different classes. In my experience, these have never worked properly. I (and my colleagues) have often attempted to collaborate using these new updates, and they are often inadequate and we are forced to move back to previous tools (email, other external apps).

    The updates and new features are seldom well-explained to teachers and administrators, so they end up being used incorrectly and don’t serve any real purpose. I’ve been added as a Student (not helpful) to innumerable Google Classrooms during PL sessions, never to hear from them again. I’ve been added as a collaborating teacher to “Staff Classrooms”, but wasn’t able to share or collaborate properly with anyone.

    I’d love to see them figure it out someday, and a recent update to facilitate Co-Teacher collaboration indicates they may be on the right track. That being said, I don’t see it improving without a major overhaul.

    Thanks so much for your hard work this week,

    Sam Paterson


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    1. Lynn

      Hi Sam!

      Glad you enjoyed the second Padlet activity! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the emerging trend of AI language translation and learning tools and their potential for mobile collaboration. It’s fascinating to hear about real-time AI-driven translation tools like Language IO as you have shared in your Padlet post. I do wonder about the risks, though, as AI translation systems learn patterns from vast amounts of text data. While they are remarkably efficient, they can often struggle to capture the nuances of human language, such as sarcasm, humor, cultural references, etc.

      I haven’t used Google Classroom myself, so thanks for sharing your experiences with the platform and your observations on its evolution and functionality over the past few years. I’ve heard from many others as well that it serves as a reliable hub for students to access and share resources, and its centralization and user-friendly interface certainly seem to address many of the initial challenges of online collaboration. It’s disappointing when new features don’t live up to expectations, especially when they aren’t well-explained or integrated effectively. It’s a reminder that such added functionalities require proper implementation and user education to be successful.

      Of the Google applications Google Classroom integrates with, do you have any favorites? Which ones have you found to be the most effective? I’m particularly curious about how tools like Google Slides have worked in your context.

      Thanks again for your post!


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  7. Kirsten

    Thanks for this OER, Lynn & Richard – very timely!

    I chatGPT’d (is that a word yet?) the first question “What are your thoughts on human connection and mobile collaboration?” because I was curious how the content of the response would differ from my own, previously drafted thoughts. (The full ChatGPT response is below [see appendix] for any anyone interested in providing their account with the same input prompt to decipher the differences the algorithm spits back in the details of the response.) The perspectives and details provided in the ChapGPT response is commendable, but it is noticeably euphemized from harsher human criticism, perhaps due to the emotionality linked with direct human experience. This may indicate that once personal memory and cultural input is removed, as in the AI robotic, objective analysis, ChatGPT version, bias disappears. Also, I did not come up with the same points. To arrive at these same conclusions, I would have needed either a conversation from a wide array of social sources that I do not have access to or an education either from classic encyclopedia to contemporary Wikipedia to achieve these same observations. However, in my personal experiences of mobile collaborations, it did allow me to follow my own stream of thought consciousness without human interruption and with vast AI support. Further, I would have been able to draw upon personal experiences which possibly tainted my perspective and caused bias, but also possibly inciting logotherapeutically meaningful attributes drawn from specific knowledge and experiences. Continuing down this hypothetical analogy hole, had I have come up with the exact same points that ChatGPT did, by either Googling or talking, would I have organized the same information in the same manner? Would you have? There is a long history in critical discourse analysis (see: Derrida, Foucault, Said, Butler, Barthes, Kress) of how language is used to exert power in society, but Faiclough’s (1992) intertextuality may be the most relevant in the case of individuals’ personal texts in mobile collaboration environments influencing each other. When working in tandem online asynchronously with like users, an age-old void of longing for communicating and connecting is fulfilled. But is there a deeper drive to connect online? Or are people craving a more original nature experience now that we are entering wave 4.0 of the Information Revolution? What are some effective ways to connect online? I will share my thoughts in a new post responding to your next question of successful strategies to increase engagement and participation in mobile collaboration.

    References

    Fairclough, N. (1992). Discourse and social change. Polity Press.

    Appendix: ChatGPT conversation

    Prompt: what are your thoughts on human connection and mobile collaboration?
    Response: Human connection and mobile collaboration represent two significant aspects of our modern, digitally interconnected world. Here are some thoughts on each:
    Human Connection
    1. Essential for Well-being: Human connection is fundamental to our psychological and emotional well-being. Strong interpersonal relationships contribute to happiness, reduce stress, and improve overall health.
    2. Challenges in the Digital Age: The digital age has transformed how we connect. While technology allows us to maintain relationships across distances, it can also lead to superficial interactions and a sense of isolation if not managed well.
    3. Quality Over Quantity: The ease of making connections online can sometimes prioritize quantity over quality. Deep, meaningful connections often require time, effort, and emotional investment, which can be overlooked in favor of quick, surface-level interactions.
    4. Balancing Digital and Face-to-Face Interactions: Striking a balance between digital and in-person interactions is crucial. While digital tools can enhance and maintain connections, face-to-face interactions often provide a deeper level of emotional and psychological fulfillment.
    Mobile Collaboration
    1. Increased Productivity and Flexibility: Mobile collaboration tools allow people to work together seamlessly from anywhere, enhancing productivity and providing flexibility. This is especially valuable in today’s remote and hybrid work environments.
    2. Real-Time Communication: These tools enable real-time communication and collaboration, which can lead to faster decision-making and more dynamic teamwork.
    3. Access to Global Talent: Mobile collaboration allows organizations to tap into a global talent pool, bringing together diverse perspectives and expertise that can drive innovation and creativity.
    4. Challenges with Engagement and Coordination: Despite its advantages, mobile collaboration can present challenges such as maintaining team engagement, ensuring clear communication, and coordinating across different time zones and cultural contexts.
    5. Security Concerns: With the rise of mobile collaboration, data security and privacy become critical concerns. Ensuring that collaboration tools are secure and that users follow best practices for data protection is essential.
    Integrating Human Connection and Mobile Collaboration
    1. Humanizing Digital Interactions: To maintain human connection in a mobile collaboration environment, it’s important to humanize digital interactions. This can include regular video calls, virtual team-building activities, and creating opportunities for informal conversations.
    2. Building Trust and Camaraderie: Trust and camaraderie are the foundations of effective collaboration. Teams should prioritize building these elements through open communication, empathy, and shared goals.
    3. Leveraging Technology Thoughtfully: While technology facilitates collaboration, it’s important to use it thoughtfully. Tools should enhance, not replace, human connection. For example, using video calls instead of text messages for important discussions can help maintain a personal touch.
    4. Promoting Work-Life Balance: Mobile collaboration should also support work-life balance. Encouraging boundaries, such as respecting personal time and setting clear work hours, helps prevent burnout and maintains the well-being of team members.
    In conclusion, both human connection and mobile collaboration are vital in the modern world. By finding the right balance and integrating thoughtful practices, we can leverage technology to enhance our connections and collaborate effectively while maintaining the deep, meaningful relationships that are essential to our well-being.


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    1. Richard Derksen

      Hi Kirsten,

      Thanks for posting the interesting conversation from ChatGPT. The portion that stood out to me in the response were the points listed in mobile collaboration. The response of access to global talent, real-time communication, and increased productivity and flexibility may come up in a list if I’m thinking about in a specific context, like benefits in a working environment, but in an open-ended question I would expect something slightly different when listing the connections between human connection and mobile collaboration. These points would be an indication to me that this was AI generated. My impression is that this question could elicit a response with emotion or drawing upon personal experience, and I would tie this into an earlier part of your post. Rather than saying your personal experiences taint your perspective I would think they inform your perspective because to some degree, human connection is subjective, and I think that subjectivity enriches the discussion in this context.


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  8. sacree

    Thanks for the OER Lynn and Richard!

    First of all, I REALLY LIKE mobile collaboration. Should it replace face-to-face interaction? No, it should not. But can it enhance and work with face-to-face collaborators and provide opportunities for collaboration when face-to-face is not feasible? Absolutely! So in my own experience, speaking just for me, I haven’t lost anything with mobile collaboration, rather I have found my collaborations enhanced by the experience. Whether working on a communication network, sharing a Google doc, using Google Classroom, or collaborating on a blog site, an opportunity to engage with those who are not in my presence is incredibly made possible. It doesn’t have to be in real-time, it doesn’t have to be at an awkward set time necessarily, and it provides the opportunity for individuals to think through their contributions and submit them as they are ready.

    Challenges? Well certainly some people may ghost, and the timelines waiting for others may be uncomfortable. It requires patience and adherence to agreed-upon timelines. If it is in the form of a meeting, there is somewhat of a social contract that participants will be in place and devote attention to each other when required.

    Mobile collaboration has allowed the MET program to be successful and beneficial for me. I’ve maintained WhatsApp groups and more over the course of the program, and the collaboration that would otherwise not be possible has been enormously beneficial.

    Thanks again,
    Steve


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    1. Richard Derksen

      Hi Steve,

      Enhancement is the word I would use as well. I’ve also used Google Docs, websites, and WhatsApp groups much like you have throughout the MET program and have found them to be immensely helpful in managing my time and, as you say, taking the time I need to meaningfully contribute to discussions.
      The social contract or a mutual understanding of social rules is also an important topic to raise. Certainly, in learning environments like the classroom or a program such as this, that understanding that others will devote their time and effort into collaborating regardless of the medium is present because we have a vested interest in our learning path. The ghosting piece is trickier to navigate and more frequent in social situations in my experience, but can come up even when there is a vested interest. In those situations I find myself using communication as an intervention, whether it’s to a colleague, instructor or friend depending on the situation, about what steps to take next.


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  9. Devon Bobowski

    Hi Lynn and Richard,

    Nice work on the OER. Mobile collaboration initially seemed counterintuitive to me, in the sense that the constant distraction of mobile devices takes many people away from collaboration with people in their immediate vicinity. But putting aside cynicism, you point out some of positive aspects and tools for the trend.

    Regarding your first discussion question: What are your thoughts about the element of human connection and mobile collaboration?

    I think mobile collaboration tends towards high frequency, low intensity connections, compared to face to face interactions. Essentially, we are able to reach out with questions, ideas and thoughts at any time, even when the other person is not available. The flip side is that we may wait hours (or in vain) for a reply, and the medium will tend to be less intimate than a discussion in person.

    That may sound negative, but I don’t mean it as such. In personal relationships, it may be the best available alternative; even if I would like to see friends and family in real life, when situations prevent that, many small chat messages are a better alternative than a long silence.

    The other aspect is that in work or school contexts, a less intense communication channel may be preferable. It’s an extension of the classic corporate complaint, a “meeting that should have been an email.” Face to face collaboration may be distracting, logistically challenging to arrange, or simply not ideal. Especially when focusing on a major task, sending off messages occasionally could balance out the need to prioritize while still keeping secondary projects moving.

    Finally, I think there are matters of preference. When I was teaching in an International Baccalaureate school, I needed to get training courses for each new course I would teach. These were offered either as a six week online, asynchronous class, or a three day in person session. Some people definitely prefer the in person alternative, as they find the discussions and conversation the highlight. Personally, I chose the online version, as I could ponder ideas and keep working with them in the back of my mind. The discussions were valuable, but I found jumping into online discussions just as effective for what I needed.

    This is another area with technology where I think the question is not either/or (as it is easy to get caught into thinking) but more when does each mode work best.

    Devon


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    1. Richard Derksen

      Hi Devon,
      Thanks for the thoughtful response to the first question. I found myself nodding along to much of what you’ve described, and I do often think about the importance of selecting the appropriate communication medium for the environment that sets the expectation for what connection will look like.

      I really appreciate the point about high frequency, low intensity connections via mobile collaboration and I would expand on the point a bit more. In education, I often think that even for in-person classes or training sessions that I facilitate, mobile devices mesh well with ice breakers or introductory activities that align with these activities because they elicit a response that isn’t in very in depth but participants feel they can contribute more to, and in certain cases where anonymity is possible, that contributes to more participation. I would agree that the absence of intimacy in mobile collaboration spaces does have its drawbacks, but I think it represents a different side to connection that sometimes we don’t often see, especially in new or unknown situations.


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