Make sure everyone understands the assignment and their role

Consider assigning group roles: leader, time/deadline keeper, information gatherer, clarifier, editor, etc. This will make sure that each group member is accountable as. Also, each member may have strengths and weaknesses. Do not assign the role of keeping the project on track to a person who is an admitted procrastinator.

1. Be proactive and begin setting the groundwork early. As online learners, your time is extremely precious.
2. Review the assignment together. Make sure everyone has the same understanding of the work to be produced and ensure that any confusion is clarified. 
3. Set timelines so that all team members pace themselves accordingly and get their work done in time.
4. Assign specific roles and tasks to each member to keep the team organized. For example, project manager, editor, researcher(s), writer(s), etc. Choose a group leader who is comfortable taking on that role.
   1. Facilitator or leader (depending on context)
      for making sure the aims of the meeting are clarified and for summarizing discussions and decisions; to ensure the meeting keeps on track and ground rules are followed.
   2. Notetaker
      to keep a record of ideas that are discussed and decisions that are made and who is doing what.
   3. Timekeeper
      to make sure that you discuss everything you need to in the time available for the meeting.
   4. Progress chaser
      to chase people up and make sure that the jobs get done by the time agreed and sort out problems if they are not.
   5. Process watcher
      someone who has an eye on process rather than content and can bring problems to the attention of the team. It is important to be positive in this role and not judgmental.
   6. Editor
      to compile contributions, identify gaps or overlaps, and ensure consistency in the final submission.
5. Create a schedule with agreed-upon deadlines to hold teammates accountable.
6. Understand academic integrity expectations for the project: It's important that all members meet these expectations because if one student cheats, this can result in an academic integrity breach for all members of the group.
7. Identify what project activities must be accomplished, in what order and by when. Create a shared list. Keep track of each group member’s tasks to ensure each person contributes equally.
   1. Consider the resources that you have and those that you will need to find.
   2. Define the outcome required.
   3. Consider how will you know when you have done it well enough?
   4. Divide the tasks among the team and
   5. Set the deadlines for the sub-tasks and times for future meetings.

Complete this chart in collaboration with your group members. When meeting online:

• Have 1- 2 group members fill out the task breakdown (left-hand) column, then use a shared document (e.g. Google docs) to have others fill out their names.
• Don’t decide who will do what until everyone has had a fair chance to express their interest in different areas.
• Have the team lead, send out assigned tasks, then wait for the other group members to confirm they are happy before finalizing tasks.

References

Gibbs, G. (1994). Learning in Teams: A student Manual. Oxford: The Oxford Centre for Staff Development.

Scoufis, M. (2000). Integrating Graduate Attributes into the Undergraduate Curricula. University of Western Sydney. (ISBN 1863418725).