Using Electronic Communication Tools in Online Group Activities to Develop Collaborative Learning Skills

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of using synchronous and asynchronous communication tools in online group activities to develop collaborative learning skills. An experimental study was implemented on a sample of faculty of education students in Mansoura University. The sample was divided into two groups, a group studied using synchronous communication tools, and the other group studied using asynchronous communication tools. The findings highlighted the fact that electronic communication tools have an effect to develop collaborative skills. However, the researchers found that the synchronous communication tools are more useful than asynchronous communication tools for developing collaborative learning skills in online group activities. The implications of the findings offer support for using synchronous communication tools in online group activities to develop collaborative skills.