scholarly journals Cooperative Collaboration in the Hybrid Space of Google Docs Based Group Work

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 269
Author(s):  
Mogens Olesen

This study investigates how Google Docs is used and affects group work in classrooms. Inspired by networked learning theory and the concept of learning spaces in education theory, Google Docs group work is conceptualized as a hybrid learning space. Based on close video ethnographic examinations of group work sessions, the analysis focuses upon what the pupils actually do when combining oral and written communication, how the hybrid Google Docs space affects collaborative and cooperative activity, as well as the role of the group’s social context. Whereas Google Docs is often associated with collaboration, the findings in this study suggest: (1) that Google Docs in fact helps single group members to establish multimodal leadership to dominate the hybrid learning space of the group work settings; and (2) that Google Docs provides space for non-leaders to make cooperative contributions. This motivates a conceptual reassessment of collaboration and cooperation as working patterns before the paper ends with a discussion of potential pedagogical implications for the use of Google Docs in group work.

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (9) ◽  
pp. 2898
Author(s):  
Milica Vujovic ◽  
Ishari Amarasinghe ◽  
Davinia Hernández-Leo

The role of the learning space is especially relevant in the application of active pedagogies, for example those involving collaborative activities. However, there is limited evidence informing learning design on the potential effects of collaborative learning spaces. In particular, there is a lack of studies generating evidence derived from temporal analyses of the influence of learning spaces on the collaborative learning process. The temporal analysis perspective has been shown to be essential in the analysis of collaboration processes, as it reveals the relationships between students’ actions. The aim of this study is to explore the potential of a temporal perspective to broaden understanding of the effects of table shape on collaboration when different group sizes and genders are considered. On-task actions such as explanation, discussion, non-verbal interaction, and interaction with physical artefacts were observed while students were engaged in engineering design tasks. Results suggest that table shape influences student behaviour when taking into account different group sizes and different genders.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. Sourav ◽  
◽  
D. Afroz ◽  

Ancient education system was developed from a semi-outdoor environment. While developing the learning spaces it developed into indoor environment to ensure controlled environment, focus, discipline and compactness. These properties lead to formal education and formal learning space which replaced the informal learning environment. Formal learning space usually drive students towards a single expertise or knowledge. The limitations and boredom of formal education often causes depression and annoy towards education that result in limited learning and one-sided education. This research indicates the role of “informal learning environment” which helps university students to achieve multi-disciplinary knowledge through a simple, contextual and informal way. To establish the emergence, we tried to do a quantitative analysis among the students studying different universities in Khulna city. We have tried to understand the perspective of the students whether they feel the importance of informal learning or not in their daily life. While working on this paper, we have experienced unique scenario for each university but by any means Khulna University and Khulna University of Engineering & Technology serves their student the environment where students can meet and share knowledge with their natural flow of gossiping with food or drinks while Northern University of Business & technology and North-Western University have shown different scenario.


2016 ◽  
Vol 117 (5/6) ◽  
pp. 308-320 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lee Fallin

Purpose The paper aims to explore the issues surrounding the user conceptualisation of academic libraries. The paper will solidify the role of academic libraries as learning spaces and problematise how libraries are conceptualised by users. Design/methodology/approach The paper is a literature-based conceptual paper and draws on a wide range of literature to challenge the concept of academic libraries and presents how they are becoming reframed as different spaces. Findings The paper argues that the concept of a library is at risk. While libraries have undergone substantial changes, the concept of a library has lingered. This paper demonstrated that libraries need to proactively engage users in this debate. Originality/value The spatial approach taken by this paper demonstrates the complicity behind the user conceptualisation of libraries. Developing an understanding of this process is an important foundation for libraries to develop their user engagement.


Author(s):  
Eva Heinrich ◽  
Yuliya Bozhko

In this chapter, we explore the currently dominant virtual learning spaces employed in institutions of higher education and contrast them with the virtual social spaces provided by Web 2.0 tools. Guided by the increasing focus on lifelong learning skills in the world of work and in higher education, we identify the gap that exists between institutional and social virtual spaces. We argue for filling this gap by providing access to institutional e-Portfolio systems to students in higher education, giving students an institutionally supported student-focused virtual learning space. By examining the perspectives of stakeholders involved in higher education, we identify challenges inherent in the adoption of institutional e-Portfolio systems and make recommendations for overcoming these based on practical experience and research findings.


Author(s):  
Tatiana V. Folomeeva ◽  
◽  
Ekaterina N. Klimochkina

"Individual metacognitions are responsible for monitoring and controlling our knowledge, emotions and actions, while social metacognitions are included in the process of monitoring and controlling each other’s knowledge, emotions and actions by group members. The distribution of metacognitive responsibilities among group members increases the visibility of individual metacognitive abilities. The study aimed to investigate the role of social metacognitions in the decision process of choosing current fashion trends: to compare how participants interact and social metacognitions influence their decisions in contradiction to the decisions made in individual work, where only individual metacognitions were available. The study consisted of several stages: starting from current trends analysis and follow up interviews, as well as, filling in individual journals. The last step was group work: discussion. The sample was 40 participants (M=24,35, Sd=2,27). Gathered data was processed through a descriptive qualitative analysis using the phenomenological method. Lack of knowledge or confidence to make a decision about which trends represent what is current in fashion in individual work, participants compensate with knowing about their own metacognition. Thus, in teamwork, these individuals’ level out limitations on knowledge or confidence by choosing the behaviour that can increase their knowledge. Choice of the behaviour strategy relies on individual metacognition. Therefore, teamwork provides individuals with additional resources as other team members, which increases the overall significance of work due to the contribution of individual metacognition. Social metacognitions help to distribute responsibilities among group members according to individual metacognitions. In group work, the visibility of individual metacognitions increases and favourably affects learning between participants, facilitates interaction and improves cognitive processes. Due to social metacognitions, participants who lack knowledge or confidence to make an individual decision solve their difficulties in a social situation, where limitations of individual metacognition are mitigated with social metacognitions."


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-42
Author(s):  
Pauline Stamp ◽  
Theodore Peters ◽  
Andrew Gorycki

Purpose Students often complain about doing group work, which may lead them to be less engaged as a group and to seek shortcuts in developing their presentations. The purpose of his essay is identify and preferentially rectify student behavioral errors arising from placing too much trust in technology that can lead to too little personal interaction and engagement. The authors present their viewpoint on the classroom presentation outcome of a student group that used Google Docs to “prepare” for their presentation. Design/methodology/approach In a recent organizational behavior course, the authors had one such group arrive for their in-class presentation, only to discover that one group member was absent. The group had used Google Docs to share their research, yet no member read what the others had submitted. As a result, none of the group members could present the missing student’s material, with the obvious negative grading and finger-pointing outcomes. Findings The authors recognized that students needed more management direction than simply being proficient with technology. They lacked engagement behaviors leading to project responsibility. Engagement behaviors would include voice/face-to-face communication and content-related discussions questioning assumptions while strategically planning and operationalizing their topic of presentation. Originality/value The educational implications suggest an expanded role for the instructor to emphasize the role of student engagement behavior and the over-reliance on technology. Practical implications suggest making stronger connections to workplace expectations, making the student experience more transferable to their incipient workplaces and promoting the concept of team over group in terms of responsibility and conscientiousness and ultimately justifying their participation in providing value for their employer.


Author(s):  
Massimo Faiferri ◽  
Samanta Bartocci

AbstractIn these historic times, when there is a crucial shift in the way we consider the cultural and architectural aspects of learning spaces, it is important to investigate the role this spatial resource plays in the urban context. This, so we can understand the need to break with the outdated ideas about school that are deeply rooted in our society. There is common ground between architecture and pedagogy, a possible dialogue between space and knowledge, which can generate new explorations into the ordinary meaning of educational spaces and landscapes of knowledge, as a chance to expand the concept of inhabiting a space and how that impacts the world, and to devise a new urban condition. By first considering cities as a broad, extended learning space, we provide a chance and an incentive to reflect on the role of spatial design. The city is an important educational tool, since it represents a space of discovery, growth, socialization, tension, conflict and adventure. It is also where autonomy, adaptive intelligence and relational skills are developed. A new relationship between school and the city defines the future of learning and civilized co-existence.


Author(s):  
Jennifer Long ◽  
Amin Reza Rajabzadeh ◽  
Allan MacKenzie

 Abstract – In their quest to find work-ready graduates, employers are increasingly prioritizing graduates with so-called transferable skills. These transferable skills include critical thinking and problem-solving skills, communication skills, and the ability to work in diverse teams. With the plethora of engineering education literature on the topic of developing undergraduates’ teamwork abilities, there are numerous suggestions and little consensus on the best way to develop these skills in engineering classrooms. This paper adds to this literature and provides an overview of group work workshops for first-year undergraduates. The hope for these workshops was to better equip students for future group work activities by providing them easy-to-remember teamwork tools that were first learned and practiced in low-stakes workshop environments. Following their participation in these workshops, students participated in focus groups and feedback demonstrated an appreciation for these workshops as well as the opportunity to self-reflect on their role as a team member. Further, there appeared to be a shift in the awareness and tolerance of the diversity found among group members, which demonstrates a potential area for further investigation. The authors conclude with a call for more research in order to better understand the role of teamwork as a means for developing tolerance toward diversity among first-year undergraduate students.


2018 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Winnifred R. Louis ◽  
Craig McGarty ◽  
Emma F. Thomas ◽  
Catherine E. Amiot ◽  
Fathali M. Moghaddam

AbstractWhitehouse adapts insights from evolutionary anthropology to interpret extreme self-sacrifice through the concept of identity fusion. The model neglects the role of normative systems in shaping behaviors, especially in relation to violent extremism. In peaceful groups, increasing fusion will actually decrease extremism. Groups collectively appraise threats and opportunities, actively debate action options, and rarely choose violence toward self or others.


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