Adopting groupware for collaborative e-learning:: A Blackboard 'Groups' Case study

Group working is becoming more common not only for businesses, but also in the educational environment. Employers want graduates who can communicate and collaborate, and they expect universities and colleges to provide training in these skills. As such in an attempt to prepare students for a business environment that emphasises collaborative work skills, universities are increasingly including groupwork in their programmes. However, research suggests that there is little formal recognition and value attached to the acquisition and development of collaborative skills in higher education institutions. Added to this, new technology is becoming central to higher education, as new e-learning materials are developed and Virtual Learning Environments (VLE) such as Blackboard are implemented. This paper considers the social and cultural changes that collaborative technologies may bring about in the university environment. A case study was carried out with undergraduate 'campus based' students to elicit their views on VLE technology (Blackboard 'Groups) for student project work.