Remote Control: Coordinating Collaborative Writing in Online Courses

This Great Idea for Teaching (GIFT) activity presents a collaborative writing simulation designed for online communication courses, particularly those focused on technical or professional writing. Inspired by a real-world workplace miscommunication, the activity replicates the challenges of remote teamwork by assigning students to small groups tasked with revising flawed communication templates. Each student is responsible for one document—such as a press release, email, or radio pitch—requiring them to coordinate messaging, correct inconsistencies, and collaborate asynchronously. The assignment fosters essential communication skills, including document design, editing, brand consistency, and internal coordination. It also offers opportunities for debriefing and reflection on professional habits such as accountability and direction-following. Designed to mirror authentic workplace dynamics, this activity is flexible, scalable, and aligned with the guidelines set forth by Barton and Coombs (2023) for effective GIFT submissions. Ultimately, it prepares students to succeed in modern digital workplaces where clarity, collaboration, and communication are key. Keywords: collaborative writing, online learning, remote teamwork, asynchronous instruction