Do online students ever have group projects?

One might believe that students who decide to get an online education are setting themselves up for a solitary experience. With no face to face contact, students are often seen as being alone with their computers, completing their coursework in solitude, and never coming in contact with other students. With the current stress on the benefits of group work and collaboration in the work force though, a student must wonder – are there group projects at online schools? And if there are - how are they completed?

To answer this question simply – yes, there are group projects at online schools. In fact, in some programs there is such a great emphasis on the benefit of group projects, that nearly half of the coursework completed will be work that is done in the form of a group! But, how does this happen when students in these groups are scattered across the country, and in some cases, around the world?

Students pursuing an online degree complete the majority of their coursework in web forums. In this fashion, they are able to submit coursework directly to the instructor in a private manner, or they are able to submit work to the general forum, for all members of the class to see — it depends on the instructor's lecture style. Students are asked to comment on each others written discussions, and assist each other in broadening their thinking in this fashion. Group work is born in this fashion also. Students are given assignments to complete with a group of their classmates, most of whom they will never come in face to face contact with. Nearly all of their correspondence with their teammates will be done online via email, chat message and web forum post. Students are asked to form written presentations, often in the form of papers or Power Point presentations, as a group. If students are required to actually “present” their work – it is posted in the public forum for all of the other students in the class to see. If it is a private group presentation – it can be submitted directly to the professor. In some cases, students will be close enough geographically to meet in person to work on the project, but this is almost never a requirement. Often, students will exchange phone numbers in order to discuss their coursework “in person,” but in many cases, this is not necessary either.

Students participating in online education may not have the benefit of actual face to face contact, but group work is often a large component of their online degree programs. Students benefit from collaboration with their teammates in the online forum, which is something that will be of great benefit to most students upon their venture into the work force!

More Online Education Questions?

If you have more questions about online degrees, go back to our frequently asked questions about online education page, or call 1-866-944-2648 to talk with an online education expert.