Collaborative and Cooperative Learning

2011 ◽  
pp. 319-326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne M. McInnerney ◽  
Tim S. Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Collaborative Learning ◽  
Cooperative Learning ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Tertiary Education ◽  
Computer Supported Collaborative Learning ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Course Content ◽  
Online Collaborative Learning ◽  
Learning Techniques ◽  
Similarities And Differences

The last few years have seen massive changes in how undergraduate and postgraduate courses are delivered. It is now expected that much, or perhaps all, of the course content will be made available online. This change to online Web-based forms of delivery would seem to provide the ideal circumstances for non-traditional methods of teaching and learning to be re-examined. Online collaborative and cooperative learning techniques are not widely practiced in undergraduate tertiary education, despite their many widely recognized advantages – see for example Panitz (2000). However, interest in such techniques is increasing, as evidenced by the biennial Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) conferences and recent books on the topic by Barkley, Cross, & Major (2003) and Roberts (2003, 2004). An examination of the literature suggests that some authors writing about online collaborative learning are actually writing about online cooperative learning, and vice versa. This conflation of terms can make research results hard to assess. It, therefore, seems important to attempt to ascertain the similarities and differences between the two, so that theoretical and empirical research into their application in an online environment can be properly carried out and assessed.

Collaborative vs. Cooperative Learning

2008 ◽  
pp. 20-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Orlando J. Olivares
Keyword(s):  
Collaborative Learning ◽  
Cooperative Learning ◽  
Individual Learning ◽  
Central Theme ◽  
Computer Supported Collaborative Learning ◽  
Conceptual Clarity ◽  
Group Mind ◽  
History Of ◽  
Similarities And Differences

A central theme of this chapter is the following: to better understand the role of the teacher within a computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL) environment, it is necessary to better conceptualize the CSCL construct. Toward this goal, this chapter will examine similarities and differences between cooperative and collaborative learning. Next, CSCL will be examined in the context of cooperative and collaborative learning, and a brief history of CSCL will be provided. It is argued that there has been a lack of definitional and conceptual clarity among these learning constructs—this has resulted in the conflation between cooperative learning and CSCL, as well as a continued focus on individual learning, as opposed to “group mind”-like constructs. It is hoped that better conceptual clarity about CSCL will provide a renewed understanding of the role of the teacher within a CSCL environment.

Collaborative vs. Cooperative Learning

2009 ◽  
pp. 129-141
Author(s):  
Orlando J. Olivares
Keyword(s):  
Collaborative Learning ◽  
Cooperative Learning ◽  
Individual Learning ◽  
Central Theme ◽  
Computer Supported Collaborative Learning ◽  
Conceptual Clarity ◽  
Group Mind ◽  
History Of ◽  
Similarities And Differences

A central theme of this chapter is the following: to better understand the role of the teacher within a computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL) environment, it is necessary to better conceptualize the CSCL construct. Toward this goal, this chapter will examine similarities and differences between cooperative and collaborative learning. Next, CSCL will be examined in the context of cooperative and collaborative learning, and a brief history of CSCL will be provided. It is argued that there has been a lack of definitional and conceptual clarity among these learning constructs—this has resulted in the conflation between cooperative learning and CSCL, as well as a continued focus on individual learning, as opposed to “group mind”-like constructs. It is hoped that better conceptual clarity about CSCL will provide a renewed understanding of the role of the teacher within a CSCL environment.

A Case Study of Student Use of Asynchronous Bulletin Board Systems (BBS) to Support Reflection and Evaluation

2002 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 365-377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan M. Land ◽  
Michele M. Dornisch
Keyword(s):  
Collaborative Learning ◽  
Bulletin Board ◽  
Discussion Forums ◽  
Computer Supported Collaborative Learning ◽  
Communication Tools ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Recent Interest ◽  
Face To Face Instruction

Recent interest in computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL) has prompted educators to incorporate communication tools into their courses. This article reports findings of students' use of two Web-based discussion forums across two semesters to supplement face-to- face instruction. By tracking the discussions, we discovered that when students initiated reflection and integration of perspectives, they did so through concessions and oppositions to the postings of their peers. Findings point to the importance of explicit scaffolding of conversations to encourage student sharing and evaluation of perspectives.

Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning in Higher Education

2005 ◽  
pp. 1-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim S. Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Collaborative Learning ◽  
Course Design ◽  
Computer Supported Collaborative Learning ◽  
Traditional Methods ◽  
Web Based ◽  
University Courses ◽  
The Common ◽  
Common Problems ◽  
Computers In Education

The rapidly increasing use of computers in education, and in particular the migration of many university courses to web-based delivery, has caused a resurgence of interest among educators in non-traditional methods of course design and delivery. This chapter provides an introduction to the field of computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL). First, some of the major benefits are listed. Then, some of the common problems are described, and solutions are either given or pointed to in the literature. Finally, pointers are given to some of the more recent research in this area.

Thinking Out of a Bowl of Spaghetti

2004 ◽  
pp. 132-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
John M. Dirkx ◽  
Regina O. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Collaborative Learning ◽  
Group Dynamics ◽  
Small Groups ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Group Development ◽  
Learning Approaches ◽  
Online Groups ◽  
Online Collaborative Learning ◽  
Learning Programs ◽  
Exponential Rates

Online learning programs have been expanding at exponential rates. To help encourage the development of learning communities within these environments, practitioners and scholars are advocating more collaborative learning approaches. Yet, many students express reservations about learning in small groups, particularly online. In this chapter, we explore more deeply the nature of student ambivalence about online collaborative learning. Weaving the findings of case studies of online groups with research and theory in collaborative learning and group dynamics, we argue that students hold on to highly subjective and individualistic understandings of teaching and learning. These perspectives manifest themselves in their overall approach to group inquiry and decision making. To embrace a more interdependent and intersubjective perspective requires a paradigm shift among members with regard to teaching and learning, and a working through of the powerful emotional dynamics associated with group development. We conclude with suggestions for designing and facilitating online environments that addresses these issues.

Collaboration, Communication, and Learning in a Virtual Community

2008 ◽  
pp. 69-79
Author(s):  
Seungyeon Han ◽  
Janette R. Hill
Keyword(s):  
Collaborative Learning ◽  
Learning Communities ◽  
Communication Systems ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Virtual Community ◽  
Virtual Learning ◽  
Multiple Perspectives ◽  
Web Based ◽  
The World ◽  
Bulletin Boards

The use of the World Wide Web (Web) for teaching and learning in higher education has increased exponentially in the last five years. Traditional universities (e.g., MIT, University System of California) as well as “virtual universities” (e.g., Western Governors University, Kentucky Commonwealth Virtual University) have moved toward offering courses and degrees around the world. Web-driven communication systems have further increased the popularity of Web-based learning. Web-based course-management and communication systems (e.g., WebCT®, Ellumination®) are specifically aimed at using the Web to support students, instructors, and experts in communicating, sharing, and collaborating with each other in the process of learning. At present, almost any Web-based application may be labeled “collaborative.” Web technologies make possible many-to-many asynchronous and synchronous communication, enabling both time and/or place independence. Time and place independence are important because they offer online learning systems the opportunities to move from individualist modes of delivery to group-oriented interactive modes (Davies, 1995). However, Internet tools such as chat, bulletin boards, or e-mail do not organize the interactions for learning (Roschelle & Pea, 1999), nor were they designed for building and sharing collaborative knowledge. Without advanced pedagogical preparation, these applications may not contribute to collaborative learning. Web-based applications can be empowering, enabling collaborative learning among participants and facilitating the creation of virtual learning communities. However, the underlying theoretical framework to explain how collaborative learning or community building might occur in Web-based contexts does not yet exist. Further, there is little to no agreement amongst researchers related to fundamental concepts associated with virtual communities (e.g., collaboration, communication, or learning) (Lipponen, 2002; Pea, 1996). While this ambiguity can be disconcerting, it is also exciting, reflecting the diversity of emerging field and paradigm for teaching and learning in virtual environments. It is necessary to review this emerging field from multiple perspectives to clarify ambiguity and embrace diversity. Through these efforts, we may be able to suggest new ways of understanding virtual learning communities, exploring what we mean by collaboration, communication, and learning, and thus enable the forward movement of the field.

Reflection and Intellectual Amplification in Online Communities of Collaborative Learning

2011 ◽  
pp. 1950-1960
Author(s):  
Elsebeth Korsgaard Sorensen
Keyword(s):  
Collaborative Learning ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Computer Supported Collaborative Learning ◽  
Online Collaborative Learning ◽  
Meta Level ◽  
Building Process ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Collaborative Knowledge Building ◽  
Analytical Approaches ◽  
Collaborative Knowledge

An alternative theoretical framework for analyzing and designing computer-supported collaborative learning environments is introduced. Bateson’s theory (1973) is used as a starting point for considering in what sense the specific dialogical conditions and qualities of virtual environments may support learning. We need more stringent analytical approaches of research that relate communicative qualities of virtual contexts to qualities of the collaborative knowledge-building process. This approach suggests that new didactic and instructional methods, addressing the learner’s communicative awareness at a meta-level, need to be developed in order to fully utilize the interactive and reflective potential of online collaborative learning. A deeper understanding of the reflective nature of the online environment and its potential for enhancing intellectual amplification will give rise to the birth of new and more innovative designs of online collaborative learning.

Innovations for Online Collaborative Learning in Mathematics

2005 ◽  
pp. 1529-1534
Author(s):  
Rodney Nason ◽  
Eearl Woodruff
Keyword(s):  
Collaborative Learning ◽  
Knowledge Building ◽  
Computer Supported Collaborative Learning ◽  
Knowledge Forum ◽  
Online Collaborative Learning ◽  
Intractable Problem ◽  
Knowledge Building Communities

The field of computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL) has been growing in a number of areas and across a number of subjects (Koschmann, 1996; Koschmann, Hall, & Miyake, 2002; Wasson, Baggetun, Hoppe, & Ludvigsen, 2003). One of the most promising pedagogical advances, however, for online collaborative learning that has emerged in recent years is Scardamalia and Bereiter’s (1996) notion of knowledge-building communities. Unfortunately, establishing and maintaining knowledge-building communities in CSCL environments such as Knowledge Forum® in the domain of mathematics has been found to be a rather intractable problem (Bereiter, 2002b; Nason, Brett, & Woodruff, 1996). In this chapter, we begin by identifying two major reasons why computer-supported knowledge-building communities in mathematics have been difficult to establish and maintain.

Collaboration, Communication, and Learning in a Virtual Community

2011 ◽  
pp. 29-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seungyeon Han ◽  
Janette R. Hill
Keyword(s):  
Collaborative Learning ◽  
Learning Communities ◽  
Communication Systems ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Virtual Community ◽  
Virtual Learning ◽  
Multiple Perspectives ◽  
Web Based ◽  
The World ◽  
Bulletin Boards

The use of the World Wide Web (Web) for teaching and learning in higher education has increased exponentially in the last five years. Traditional universities (e.g., MIT, University System of California) as well as “virtual universities” (e.g., Western Governors University, Kentucky Commonwealth Virtual University) have moved toward offering courses and degrees around the world. Web-driven communication systems have further increased the popularity of Web-based learning. Web-based course-management and communication systems (e.g., WebCT®, Ellumination®) are specifically aimed at using the Web to support students, instructors, and experts in communicating, sharing, and collaborating with each other in the process of learning. At present, almost any Web-based application may be labeled “collaborative.” Web technologies make possible many-to-many asynchronous and synchronous communication, enabling both time and/or place independence. Time and place independence are important because they offer online learning systems the opportunities to move from individualist modes of delivery to group-oriented interactive modes (Davies, 1995). However, Internet tools such as chat, bulletin boards, or e-mail do not organize the interactions for learning (Roschelle & Pea, 1999), nor were they designed for building and sharing collaborative knowledge. Without advanced pedagogical preparation, these applications may not contribute to collaborative learning. Web-based applications can be empowering, enabling collaborative learning among participants and facilitating the creation of virtual learning communities. However, the underlying theoretical framework to explain how collaborative learning or community building might occur in Web-based contexts does not yet exist. Further, there is little to no agreement amongst researchers related to fundamental concepts associated with virtual communities (e.g., collaboration, communication, or learning) (Lipponen, 2002; Pea, 1996). While this ambiguity can be disconcerting, it is also exciting, reflecting the diversity of emerging field and paradigm for teaching and learning in virtual environments. It is necessary to review this emerging field from multiple perspectives to clarify ambiguity and embrace diversity. Through these efforts, we may be able to suggest new ways of understanding virtual learning communities, exploring what we mean by collaboration, communication, and learning, and thus enable the forward movement of the field.

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