Microsoft chairman Bill Gates suggests that creating virtual teams with digital tools gives businesses a huge advantage.
Educators also benefit from creating and participating in virtual teams.
In the early 1990s, the College of Education at Kansas State and the Spring Hill Unified School District developed a partnership to infuse technology into teaching and learning. Effective teams tend to create an agenda, establish team roles, initiate activities to generate chemistry among team members, monitor verbal and nonverbal behaviors, and engage in debriefing at the close of meetings. Use the five-step model throughout the staff development period. Provide coaching and support for teams by staying in contact with members. The partnership has resulted in an increased positive attitude from teachers, more involvement in school improvement efforts, and increased feelings of ownership of the curriculum and learning.