Small group work in hybrid university courses – specific challenges and effective support measures

Video conferencing tools such as Zoom or Webex allow students to stay in contact and interact with each other. However, interaction in small group work does not always run smoothly. This is particularly true for hybrid collaboration, where students work on site with other remote participants on a joint task. In this dissertation project, Sabine Schermeier is interested in the specific challenges that learners face when collaborating in hybrid learning environments. Previous research shows that there are significant differences in affective engagement between face-to-face and remote learners. Remote participants often experience a sense of isolation and visual anonymity. It has also been shown that remote learners feel less socially connected to their peers. Sabine Schermeier investigates how students collaborate in hybrid learning environments compared to face-to-face and purely remote settings and how learners can be best supported in hybrid environments.