One word, two meanings: Examining the lived experiences of teamwork in virtual and face-to-face student teams

The present study explored the ways in which students’ lived experiences of face-to-face teamwork and virtual teamwork are similar or different. Using hermeneutic phenomenological research approach, the accounts of eight students attending traditional business programs and ten students attending online business programs were collected and analyzed. Consequently, four themes emerged as common among all the participants regardless of whether they were studying in an online or face-to-face leaning environment: making an equal commitment; cooperation: sharing ideas and responsibilities; treating one as the “leader” and working with known quantities. Three themes illustrated the unique aspects of virtual teamwork: staying connected; focusing on the task; and managing masked communications. Finally, two themes represented the distinct essence of face-to-face teamwork: attending group meetings: exercising togetherness; and working in harmony. In view of these findings, research contributions and implications regarding the use of team-based activities in traditional and online learning programs are discussed.