Collaborating online
Tips and advice to connect with classmates.
How to use Canvas inbox to approach your classmates
Don’t know anyone in your class? Want to find a team member for group projects/assignments or form a study group? Here is an accessible tool and some tips you can try.
Tips when sending messages
It's important to get the tone and style of your message right, as this will help you make a good impression and hopefully get the response you're looking for. Here are some tips on how to compose and structure your message.
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Tip 1 - Introduce yourself
Tell your classmate who you are at the very beginning of your message, especially if this is the first message you've written to them. While you may know your classmates, your classmates may not know you.
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Tip 2 - Make your purpose clear
Think about your message before you write it, decide on the purpose of your message and what outcome you expect from your communication. Then, state this clearly in your message (both in the subject line and the body), for example, ‘make a study group’ or ‘find an assignment group mate’.
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Tip 3 - Be friendly and courteous
Since you're communicating with your classmates, you might use a less formal, more friendly approach. Still, don’t forget to include a courteous greeting (for example, 'hi' and closing 'thanks') to sound friendly and polite.
Sample
Here is a template you can follow and adjust when you want to message a classmate to form a group for your assignment:
Subject: ACCT10001 - pairing up for assignment 2
Hi [first name],
This is [first name] from a tutorial group of [subject code]. How are you doing? I hope this message finds you well.
I was wondering if you already had a partner for Assignment 2. Let me know if you are interested in pairing up with me :)
Thanks,
[first name]
Discussion boards and webinars
Discussion boards and webinars provide an interactive learning environment where you can clarify and extend what you learn from subject material and develop your communication skills.
As with face-to- face communication, it’s important to find a way to express your views and question those of others in a respectful way, as this helps to develop your understanding and critical thinking.
Understand expectations
Find out if your participation in online forums and webinars is compulsory, and if so, how it will be assessed. For discussion forums, find out the required frequency, due date, length, focus and tone of posts.
Prepare
The more preparation you do, the more actively you’ll be able to participate. There will usually be prescribed and/or recommended readings to be completed before you engage in online discussion.
When you’re reading:
- Think about how the reading relates to the topic of the discussion and the main points presented in the subject materials.
- Think about similarities or differences between the texts and try to form your own opinions.
- Note down any questions and comments you have.
Participate actively
The easiest way to participate is often to add to the existing discussion. You can do this in a range of ways.
Listen to Unimelb students give their advice about how to actively participate in online forums. You can apply these strategies to participating in online meetings and webinars too.
Consider your audience
Online communication can be challenging, as you don’t have the same range of verbal and visual cues (voice, body language etc.) to contextualise your words and check your message was received as intended. Below are some strategies to help you communicate effectively and avoid misunderstandings.
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Use simple language
Use words that most people would know and that are easily understand. Your ideas can be complex, but your language shouldn’t be. For example:
- Tried rather than endeavoured
- Use rather than utilise
- Explain rather than elucidate
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Be specific
Relate your comments directly to particular ideas or posts and avoid words that are vague or have multiple meanings.
Examples
Compare the specificity of the two examples below.
One: “Great point: it really highlights the issues we’ve discussed”.
Two: “Great example for this week’s topic on reducing social isolation in elderly populations, Lee. Using avatars to help them connect with each other is a really interesting idea.”
Example Two is much clearer as it specifies what in particular was good (the example), and what the topic was (reducing social isolation in elderly populations). Using Lee’s name also personalises the entry, helping others to know exactly whose post you are referring to.
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Be concise
Wordy sentences and posts can be difficult to read. Try:
Replacing longer phrases with single words
- Information provided by responses indicates... [5 words]
- Responses indicate... [2 words]
Using strong verbs, rather than nouns
- This paper provides an evaluation of Gaspar’s framework. [8 words]
- This paper evaluates Gaspar’s framework [4 words]
Using active, rather than passive, voice
- An analysis of user behaviour was conducted. [7 words]
- We analysed user behaviour. [4 words]
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Be coherent and cohesive
Structure your response logically and consider the flow between ideas and posts carefully.
- Refer to other writers by name
- Repeat the point you’re linking back to
- Highlight the relationships between ideas.
Allow opportunity for interaction
Although your response should be well thought out, it should also allow and encourage others to respond. If it is uninteresting, or allows little room for questioning or comment, then you’re unlikely to spark an interesting debate.
Netiquette
There are some clear differences between online and face-to-face communication, but our behaviours should show a similar level of respect. Behave the same way online as you would face-to-face.
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Tips
- Be careful with humour and sarcasm.
- Respect others’ points of view, even if you don’t agree.
- Be aware of cultural differences, without making over- generalisations.
- Be polite; acknowledge responses to your posts and respond to others’ posts.
- Never post in anger – if you’re upset with something someone has written, take some time to think about how you can respond objectively, without emotion.
Nervous about contributing?
It’s normal to feel a little nervous about publishing your thoughts and ideas for all to see, especially if you’re still grappling with new ideas and concepts. Just remember that while it might sound cliché, there are no silly questions.
Try to post something early on, even if it’s simply to introduce yourself or agree with something someone else has posted. The longer you wait to post, the harder it will get. As discussions build, you might find that the ideas become more nuanced and complex, making it harder to contribute something new or interesting.
A strategy is to log in early each week with one or two comments or questions already prepared to contribute to the topic. As you become more confident you can be more spontaneous with your comments.
Looking for one-on-one advice?
Get tailored advice from an Academic Skills Adviser by booking an Individual appointment, or get quick feedback from one of our Academic Writing Mentors via email through our Writing advice service.