Instructions: Research on social loafing originated long before the internet, but the online environment offers many opportunities for social loafing. Do some background research and find an example of social loafing that occurs during a group activity in an online university course. This can be an example that a researcher describes in an article or blog post, or a real-world example that you identify. Then, develop at least two strategies that an instructor might use to overcome social loafing in the online classroom. Post your example and strategies to your individual groups as part of a discussion. Make sure to:
- Clearly describe the example of social loafing that you locate,
- Explain how you know that this is an example of social loafing. That is, what features of the online classroom environment allow some students to engage in social loafing?, and
- Identify and describe at least two strategies that an instructor might use to overcome social loafing in the online classroom. These can be strategies that you read about or strategies that you make up. They should be based in social psychological principles, and you should clearly explain the principles that your strategies use.
