Winny, a returning Research Assistant, and Carina, a new Research Assistant joining the GRIP Lab this semester, offer their perspectives on these unprecedented times, and how new online formats may influence what virtual teamwork looks like.
How does virtual team differ from in-person group work? Does the lack of physical presence and interaction affect online teamwork attitudes and teammates' perceptions of each other? Can virtual teamwork actually be more efficient than in-person meet-up? Six months into the pandemic, we are, and probably many others, are suffering from Zoom fatigue. Without a vaccine, online collaboration is going to continue for the foreseeable future, but it may be here to stay even after the pandemic. Many companies, especially in the tech industry, are thinking of allowing their employees to continue working from home after the pandemic. Remote work and online collaboration may be the future of work. These new collaborations will inevitably lead to new environmental stressors. Without a shared physical space, people’s access to resources will be variable and unequal.
With the end of the pandemic nowhere in sight, all of us are forced to adjust to this new normal. With little physical intimacy and few facial and body language cues, remote work can lead to fatigue, boredom and a lack of focus. To maximize student engagement, more and more professors are adopting a discussion-based approach -- incorporating music, polls as well as shortening their lectures to give more time to students to discuss amongst themselves. At an individual level, to reduce Zoom fatigue, we should always leave time between video meetings to stretch, walk around, and have a drink. To enhance productivity at the team level, we will probably need to take a more active stance and be even more attentive to each other’s needs so no one feels left out of the conversation. There is no perfect solution, and we have to be adaptable as we go.
We are living through a historical time that brings tremendous suffering but also unique learning opportunities. Luckily, what we had and will personally experience will provide rich details and insights into both the strengths and weaknesses of virtual teamwork. On a positive note, Zoom meetings may actually promote more group diversity. The randomization of Zoom breakout rooms eliminates the formation of in-groups and provides an open space allowing people of different personalities and backgrounds to mingle.
How does virtual team differ from in-person group work? Does the lack of physical presence and interaction affect online teamwork attitudes and teammates' perceptions of each other? Can virtual teamwork actually be more efficient than in-person meet-up? Six months into the pandemic, we are, and probably many others, are suffering from Zoom fatigue. Without a vaccine, online collaboration is going to continue for the foreseeable future, but it may be here to stay even after the pandemic. Many companies, especially in the tech industry, are thinking of allowing their employees to continue working from home after the pandemic. Remote work and online collaboration may be the future of work. These new collaborations will inevitably lead to new environmental stressors. Without a shared physical space, people’s access to resources will be variable and unequal.
With the end of the pandemic nowhere in sight, all of us are forced to adjust to this new normal. With little physical intimacy and few facial and body language cues, remote work can lead to fatigue, boredom and a lack of focus. To maximize student engagement, more and more professors are adopting a discussion-based approach -- incorporating music, polls as well as shortening their lectures to give more time to students to discuss amongst themselves. At an individual level, to reduce Zoom fatigue, we should always leave time between video meetings to stretch, walk around, and have a drink. To enhance productivity at the team level, we will probably need to take a more active stance and be even more attentive to each other’s needs so no one feels left out of the conversation. There is no perfect solution, and we have to be adaptable as we go.
We are living through a historical time that brings tremendous suffering but also unique learning opportunities. Luckily, what we had and will personally experience will provide rich details and insights into both the strengths and weaknesses of virtual teamwork. On a positive note, Zoom meetings may actually promote more group diversity. The randomization of Zoom breakout rooms eliminates the formation of in-groups and provides an open space allowing people of different personalities and backgrounds to mingle.