This chapter describes an instructional online collaborative learning model that addresses the phenomenon from a systemic human relations and interaction perspective. Its main purpose is to aid students in their social building of knowledge when learning in a CSCL environment. The model argues that knowledge building in a networked environment is affected by the communication conflicts that naturally arise in human relationships. Thus, the model is basically proposing a way to attend to these communication conflicts. In this line, it proposes a set of instructional strategies to develop the student’s meta-communication abilities. The concepts and instructional suggestions presented here are intended to have a heuristic value and are hoped to serve as a frame of reference to: 1) understand the complex human patterns of relationships that naturally develop when learning in a CSCL environment, and 2) suggest some basic pedagogical strategies to the instructional designer to develop sound online networked environments.
I describe the differences between separate and connected knowing (Belenky, Clinchy, Goldberger, & Tarule, 1986) and suggest that the experiential learning model (Kolb, 1981, 1984) is a useful framework for integrating traditional, separate knowing and connected, collaborative learning. The strengths of this model and a list of activities and examples associated with various learning positions are identified.
Design of Game-Based Collaborative Learning Model
