When the task requires an individual to rely on others to complete the task, it created a dependence on one another. This active interaction with one another also produces a cohesion amongst the ideas exchanged since they have to evaluate others' contributions before adding their own.

New York University

Creating a better task cohesion allows the group to share a similar identity and fosters better collaboration amongst all group members. 
Task cohesion can be increased by improving:
- social loafing
- interdependence
- collective efficacy
- collective task value
- communication quality

Improving Task Cohesion in Online Communities

Altebarmakian, M., & Alterman, R. (2019, October). Design Heuristics to Support Cohesion within Online Collaborative Learning Groups. In 2019 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE) (pp. 1-9). IEEE.

 Design Heuristics to Support Cohesion within Online Collaborative Learning Groups

Increasing Interdependence in Online Communities

Collective efficacy is the shared belief that a group can perform the task at hand as a whole. When collective efficacy is high, task cohesion also increases. 

Collective Efficacy in Online Communities

Collective Task Value involves an individual's perception of the overall group's value of the task.
How to improve:
- discussing the importance of the value of the task
- discussing individually their interest in the task before beginning
- more autonomy for the students (giving feelings of ownership)

Improving Collective Task Value in Online Communities

Social loafing is the tendency for individuals to devote less time or effort when working with others compared to working alone.

When an individual is not engaging with others in the group to complete the goal/task at hand, there is is a lack of task cohesion and equal contribution/effort being devoted to the task. 

Social loafing in Online Communities

Communication Quality can be improved based on the five dimensions it is composed of:

1. richness
2. openness
3. accuracy
4. appropriateness
5. quality group discussion

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