Performance in international computer science collaboration between distributed student teams

Technology has developed such that it allows for effective remote collaboration. International collaboration gives students the opportunity to use different technologies for collaboration across time and distance as well as problem-solving experience with different cultures in a team-based environment. This paper investigates the interactions of highand low performing distributed student teams. These teams were involved in a software development project, part of a computer science course at two universities. A set of categories was developed for this study to examine the communication produced. This paper tracks the progression and changes in each team's communication via coded categories. In particular, the use of communication media available, the amount of communication per team and decision-making patterns throughout the software development process. Results indicate that not only is communication crucial to a team's success but the process and timing of specific actions can have an impact on a team's performance.