Groupware

Groupware is a term used to describe software that supports cooperative work (Kling, R.1991). There is not a specific description of groupware, but with all groupware there are some common elements. Generally, these common elements include computers and communications technology that is intended to support multiple users working on shared tasks (Mankin, Cohen, and Bikson, 1996).

Groupware is as much as a new way of thinking about information systems, and as a strategy for building technologies that considers the needs of teams in software design and implementation as it is a class of products (Mankin et al., 1996). The term "groupware" may cover numerous concepts, and with the rapid growth of new Web technologies, groupware will have a major impact on the everyday work of teams inside and outside of the school system. The merging of Web technologies with groupware and the difficult decisions to make in connecting teams is on the near horizon.

Groupware is a category of software that resides on top of networks whether it is a LAN or a WAN. Groupware software makes the most of the network infrastructure by providing services such as peripheral sharing, file sharing, task synchronization, messaging, and workflow automation. The distributed nature of groupware and the need for tight integration of functionalities mean that the choice for a groupware platform is often a system-wide endeavor, and seldom would more than one groupware application be implemented. The need for groupware and its uses are changing as the Internet/intranet concept becomes more widely used in schools. Groupware developers are beginning to realize that their leading-edge technologies are rapidly becoming obsolete as groupware functionalities become available on the Web. The only rational decision schools can make is a commitment to integrate IntraWeb technologies as they become market-proven. The school's technological infrastructure will have to be adapted continuously and systematically as the Web pushes its way forward as the one structure capable of connecting everyone from students and teachers to board members and communities.

Groupware is software and hardware for shared interactive environments. The term environment includes software and hardware that supports interaction. A groupware application may be designed for specific organizational functions, but new and more powerful applications will adapt and overcome limitations of single function environments. There is not a limit to the number of participants because technologically-mediated groups can maintain joint awareness with very large numbers of people. Because individuals interact with a groupware application, it has all the interface design challenges of single-user applications, supplemented by a host of new challenges arising from its direct involvement in group processes.

Groupware and Learning

Characteristics of Groupware

• Provides enhanced communications and conferencing systems, including multimedia systems.
• Provides networked tools for shared editing or drawing, or for group document management.
• Provides workflow systems that help organize group tasks.
• Provides group-decision support systems with electronic "shared spaces."
• Provides meeting-support systems that feature conference rooms with networked computers at each seat to help structure and facilitate task-focused interaction during face-to-face meetings.

Checklist for Implementing Groupware

• Align groupware use with the use of single-user applications in group settings.
• Align the use of groupware with existing technological successes.
• Align the use of groupware with direct benefits for all group members.
• Align groupware with as many training endeavors as possible, and especially with administrator training.

Cautions with Groupware

$ Groupware applications require additional work from individuals, and this can lead to a perception of a loss of benefit from the use of the application.

$ Groupware may not obtain wide scale support of users required to be useful at first.

$ Groupware disrupts some social processes. For example, groupware activity may required a change in the ways that people communicate.

$ Groupware may not accommodate all levels of creativity associated with high performance teams.

$ Groupware technologies for supporting team processes are used infrequently and may need integration with more heavily used processes and features.

$ Groupware requires more careful implementation (introduction) in the workplace than most software/hardware.

Adpated by Mankin, Cohen, and Biksen 1996.

Last updated: March 10, 1998