Abstract:

Introduction:
Group work has a longstanding foundation as an effective learning tool in tertiary education. Benefits are well documented such as gains in academic performance, comprehension, interpersonal skills, and even student satisfaction with their learning. This type of work also prepares students for a professional future, where they will work in teams or in collaboration with other professionals, allowing them to understand the benefits but also the challenges of different working dynamics and contexts. In recent years, online group work has become relevant, offering benefits like easier access to online resources, flexibility, remote collaboration, and the development of digital skills. However, there remain challenges such as time constraints, communication and coordination problems, lack of social connection, and difficulties in maintaining motivation. This also requires students to be familiar with and know how to use different digital tools to encourage collaboration and cooperation during these activities. Students' lack of knowledge of these tools, whether in terms of communication, writing or sharing resources, is a common observation in higher education as is the lack of knowledge concerning the benefits of online group work.

Purpose:
This project, which is a work in progress, aims to address these challenges faced by students regarding online group work. A microlearning was developed, as part of a larger project supported by the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland.

Setting and participants:
This project is directed towards all students and faculty at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland.

Project Description:
Microlearning is an approach to learning that involves delivering short, focused learning content or modules. The goal is to provide learners with small, easy to understand pieces of information that are relevant, and engaging. It is an effective strategy for skill development, knowledge retention, and fostering a learning culture. The microlearning developed in this project respected a methodology created by the “Digital Learning” group of the Centre of Digital Competencies of the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland and is called a FlashLearn. A FlashLeran is a type of microlearning that should not last more than 30 minutes and is composed of different themes all related to the central subject. Each theme is developed with 4 micro-resources (1 PowerPoint with sound, 1 animation, 1 video, and 1 quiz). The title of the project’s FlashLearn is "Group Work in the Digital Age” and the 4 themes developed are: online group work, organisation, communication, writing and sharing resources. This FlashLearn is not, at this date available, but will very soon be accessible to all students and faculty at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland, on the university’s official website.

Projected outcomes:
The expected outcomes of implementing this project are enhanced learning engagement, active participation and skill acquisition of students who have completed the FlashLearn. Knowledge of digital tools and a good understanding of the issues involved in online group work should enable students to focus more on real learning topics, boosting their motivation and helping them to achieve their learning objectives.

Keywords:

Online group work, microlearning, higher education, digital skills.