What is it and how does it work?

Online modules designed to teach team collaboration skills. Students work through two online modules independently – learning collaboration skills and practicing them with virtual teammates – and then receive instructions to (optionally) complete application activities with their real teammates.

Which skill(s) are targeted?

This rubric can be used to measure mastery of the following collaboration competencies:

• Participate in constructive dialogue to support both the process and product of the collaboration
• Shape teams and navigate collaborations in consideration of individual differences and interpersonal dynamics
• Apply skills and processes to resolve and manage disagreements in collaborative settings

NOTE: These modules are also designed to promote students’ positive attitudes toward teamwork and to highlight the benefits of honing one’s collaboration skills.

Who else has used it?

As of 2021, the CollaborativeU modules have been used at CMU by over 4,000 students and 150 courses across all seven schools and colleges. For example, it has been used in the introductory MCS core education course for first-year students, in Design electives for upper-class undergraduates, and with Heinz Master’s students working in teams. 

Colleagues at CMU conducted a randomized, controlled trial to test the efficacy of CollaborativeU in the context of the introductory MCS course (Gadgil et al., 2018). Students (N=226) received either CollaborativeU or an equivalent (in time and format) “control” module focused on skills other than collaboration. Results showed that students who completed CollaborativeU had significantly better outcomes in their team process and product, relative to control students. Moreover, CollaborativeU students maintained more positive attitudes about teamwork and self-assessments of their skills when surveyed nearly a year later.