Last modified 8. Sept. 2009


1. Usage and Examples
2. Assessment
3. Note

1. Usage and Examples


The use of Web 2.0 applications can help in particular internationally or inter-premisesly working corporations to reduce their cooperation costs by means of tele-cooperation and virtual teamwork (CSCW: Computer Supported Cooperative Work). Some of the cooperation tools are explained in brief below:


Applikation Sharing

Application sharing is to jointly work with any software application. There are a number of differences between the products. They range from the "Show-only version" to real application sharing, in which for example a participant can access and work with an application on the computer of the presenter or another participant via Internet.


Audio Conferencing, Video Conferencing, Messenger

In an audio conference the spoken language is transferred via the Internet. In addition to the spoken language a video and/or text chat can accompany the meeting. There a variety of free, so-called "Messenger" products available on the Internet. It is also possible to sent files to all participants. For a video conference a greater bandwidth is needed because otherwise the video images would arrive with a time delay after the audio signals. To exclude interferences as much as possible, the usage of a head set is of advantage. These conferences belong to the synchronous communication tools and are suitable for lectures, group discussions as well as questions and answers. The moderator's language is the main medium for the transmission of content.


Chat

In a chat, two or more geographically distributed participants can exchange test messages sychronously (in real time). Communications rules are needed especially in larger groups. These are in specified in advance in the so-called "Chatiquette". The chat is suitable especially for getting to know each other, for expert discussions or to build online communities. Consultation hours for open questions and clarification of outstanding issues can be realized e.g. through the establishment of fixed regular chat times.


Co–Browsing, Web–Touring

Co-browsing belongs to the synchronous communication tools. The moderator configures his Internet browser with help of additional tools, so that it sends signals to all group participants. If the presenter moves with his browser to an Internet address, this will be forwarded to the browsers of the group participants. This allows to integrate existing internet content in a virtual meeting or eLearning course. Coupled with an audio conference or a text chat, this tool is well suited e.g. for internet presentations on a particular topic.


eMail

eMail is by far the most used Internet service, far ahead of the WWW (world wide web). Text and files can be sent via computer to an unlimited number of recipients using eMail.


Forum

Like a black board the forum is, in contrast to chat, an asynchronous communication tool. Everyone can add a contribution or answer to other contributions at different times. Most of the communication takes place in forums. A forum can be used in different ways, including reviewing of contributions. The upload of files in a forum is also possible.


Glossary

Glossaries are in principle dictionaries, in which definitions are stored alphabetically. Collaborative glossary modules can be used similar to a Wiki (see below). Each participant can write contributions. The other team members and presenters have the possibility of inserting comments.


Groupware

Software for spatially distributed groups, whose members work on joint projects or interrelated together; usually within an intranet. Groupware contains modules for communication, collaborative document creation, scheduling and task management.


RSS-Feed

By subscribe to the RSS feeds from Web Blogs (see below) and shared Wikis (see below), the group or team members are automatically informed about new entries and changes.


Virtual Conference Rooms

Systems for synchronous transmission of video images, sound and information on a whiteboard (see below).


WebBlog / Journal

A WebBlog is a diary or journal run on a website. Journals accompany the work of team members over a period of time and serve as documentation. The participants can change and complete their journal any time. Journals are, therefore, suitable e.g. for work process reports and project logbooks if a topic shall be followed up and commented by the participants over a certain time period. A valuation function is contained.


Whiteboard, Online Presentation

A whiteboard is the virtual equivalent of the traditional flip chart or moderation wall in the face-to-face training. It allows the moderator and participants to enter, text and graphics ad hoc. Whiteboards are used in live events. Their content can often be saved and asynchronously used afterwards or sent to the participants via eMail. The contents can equipped and prepared with marking symbol.


Wiki

The access to a wiki can be designed so that only the moderator, selected participants or even all the participants together have access to it. Wikis allow the users to enter text directly online and to change it together. This may sound chaotic at first, however, the example of online encyclopaedia Wikipedia shows that the concept works.

Wikis allow to solve some problems in online work of project teams, since cooperative work is fully supported: comments, changes and enhancements in the contributions of all (and through all) participants can be easily included without a html editor. This is not only an opportunity for the moderator or presenter - the participants also can check, improve and enlarge the pages by themselves. The work of individual group members is immediately at everyone's disposal and can be verified. Also for personal feedback the media does not have to be changed. Wikis are similar to a black board at which everyone can write at the same time in a coordinated way.


2. Assessment

Online communication and cooperation offer a number of advantages. Online discussions save participants' travel time and costs. Status symbols are less perceptible, through this hierarchical orders are partly levelled and peer working is promoted. The participants are more flexible than during presence discussions. They are also spatiotemporal more independent and can easier work on several topics in parallel. In addition, online communication promotes the media competence of the participants.

There are also disadvantages. The facilitation and coordination of on-line discussions with multi-point circuits is more complex and time-consuming than in face-to-face discussions. The participants need to have a higher technical knowledge and must observe strict behavioural and communication rules ("netiquette"). Not to forget the "channel reduction", for example the lack of body language, which can only partially be offset by using emoticons. Because of this, the group identity develops slower and the group atmosphere is stronger task than person oriented and less committal


3. Note

As a certified European Net-Trainer I will be pleased to support the cooperation of your virtual teams.