Impacts of Technology (U3)
Virtual Collaboration
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What is Virtual Collaboration?
Virtual Collaboration refers to using online technologies to allow for communication between two or more people in different geographical locations.
What are some examples of virtual collaboration?
Virtual collaboration occurs any time users use online platforms to communicate and collaborate with each other, such as: - Communication: Skype, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Email and FaceTime - Collaborative work: Google Docs and Microsoft 365
What are the advantages of virtual collaboration?
Advantage 1: Reduced costs - managers do not have to rent meeting rooms. Advantage 2: Increased productivity - employees do not have to travel to meeting areas. Advantage 3: Delayed Communication - employees can start a conversation at one time, stop and resume it at another time. Advantage 4: Employee flexibility - option for employees to work remotely at client sites or for working at home.
What are the disadvantages of virtual collaboration?
Disadvantage 1: Misinterpretations - communication could be misinterpreted due to the limits on emotions and body language in virtual collaboration. Disadvantage 2: Security vulnerabilities - easier to record or hack virtual communication. A user of virtual collaboration could use a screen recorder to record meetings without knowledge of other users. Disadvantage 3: Confusion over ownership of collaboration material - Who owns collaborately produced files? Disadvantage 4: Communication is limited to internet speeds and bandwidths. Disadvantage 5: Additional training may be required to teach employees how to use virtual collaboration software and technology.