Pam Brewer Marjorie Davis Judith Herr Brenda Huettner IEEE Professional Communication Society IPCC July 20081.

Pam Brewer Marjorie DavisJudith Herr Brenda Huettner

IEEE Professional Communication Society

IPCC July 2008 1

“Here is Edward Bear, coming downstairs now, bump, bump, bump on the back of his head, behind Christopher Robin. It is, as far as he knows, the only way of coming downstairs, but sometimes he feels that there really is another way, if only he could stop bumping for a moment and think of it. And then he feels that perhaps there isn’t.” Winnie the Pooh, A.A. Milne, 1926

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True interactivity is not about clicking on icons or downloading files, it's about encouraging communication

Edwin Schlossberg

If we are to achieve a richer culture—rich in contrasting values—we must recognize the whole gamut of human potentialities, and so weave a less arbitrary social fabric…

Margaret Mead

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1. What changes are required to lead virtual rather than face-to-face teams?

2. What are the challenges for establishing authority and delegating responsibility virtually?

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Recognize team members in print Invite active participation in decision-

making Demonstrate trust by delegating Schedule on-line real-time recognition event Present an award at honoree’s worksite;

send letters to honoree’s clients, senior management

Create hoopla

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If they feel the project is worth doing, they can contribute, and they are appreciated -- they will come!

1. What tools are helpful to compensate for lack of face-to-face cues when interacting virtually?

2. Are some tools more personal and ‘revealing’ than others?

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1. What is necessary to establish/manage team relationships for effective project collaboration or a virtual class?

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CASE STUDIES IN INTERNATIONAL VIRTUAL

WORKPLACESby

Pamela Estes Brewer, M.A., B.A.A Dissertation

InTECHNICAL COMMUNICATION

AND RHETORIC Submitted to the Graduate

Facultyof Texas Tech University in

Partial Fulfillment ofthe Requirements for the Degree

of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Fred Hartmeister

Dean of the Graduate School  

August, 2008

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What preparation must take place to What preparation must take place to establish and manage team relationships establish and manage team relationships for effective project execution?for effective project execution?

Be polite and friendly Communicate regularly Meet face to face Introduce yourself deliberately Respond promptly Communicate explicitly

How do professionals decide if they have How do professionals decide if they have participated in an effective virtual work participated in an effective virtual work relationship or virtual class? relationship or virtual class?

#1 Achieved goals#2 Received timely responses#3 Received feedback—information flowed in two directions#4 Displayed mutual consideration and respect#5 Communicated with few misunderstandings/disruptions#6 Disagreed comfortably

Preparation

1. Is preparation for online teamwork or a class more time consuming? Are different talents, experience, and education essential?

1. What are the differences in designing interactions for teaching and learning virtually?

2. Do team members communicate feedback effectively and accurately when body language is missing?

3. What is the key ingredient in the “feedback loop” for a virtual class or team?

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Online Education: Global Questions, Local Answers

Teacher-Centered Learning Model

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Interactive Teaching-Learning Model

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Pam Brewer Marjorie DavisJudith Herr Brenda Huettner

IEEE Professional Communication Society

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