Identifying the Structure of CSCL Conversations Using String Kernels

Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning tools are exhibiting an increased popularity in education, as they allow multiple participants to easily communicate, share knowledge, solve problems collaboratively, or seek advice. Nevertheless, multi-participant conversation logs are often hard to follow by teachers due to the mixture of multiple and many times concurrent discussion threads, with different interaction patterns between participants. Automated guidance can be provided with the help of Natural Language Processing techniques that target the identification of topic mixtures and of semantic links between utterances in order to adequately observe the debate and continuation of ideas. This paper introduces a method for discovering such semantic links embedded within chat conversations using string kernels, word embeddings, and neural networks. Our approach was validated on two datasets and obtained state-of-the-art results on both. Trained on a relatively small set of conversations, our models relying on string kernels are very effective for detecting such semantic links with a matching accuracy larger than 50% and represent a better alternative to complex deep neural networks, frequently employed in various Natural Language Processing tasks where large datasets are available.

Sustainability of the Benefits of Social Media on Socializing and Learning: An Empirical Case of Facebook

Social network sites (SNSs) provide new avenues for self-expression and connectivity, and they have considerable potential to strengthen social capital and psychological well-being. SNSs have consequently become deeply rooted in people’s daily lives. During the COVID-19 pandemic, e-learning has become a dominant learning modality to maintain social distancing. Because of the excellent connectivity provided by Internet platforms, SNSs can be leveraged as collaborative learning tools to enhance learning performance. However, conflicts may emerge when extending the socializing function to learning; thus, this topic merits in-depth investigation. One potential reason for the conflicts is the various types of overload caused by the system features, information, communication, and social aspects that users experience, leading to negative emotional responses, such as social network fatigue. Although SNS overloads have been extensively studied, most of these studies were conducted from the perspective of SNSs as platforms for socializing, and the overloads were treated as linear and independent. We apply multi-criteria decision-making tools to bridge the research gaps. Specifically, we recruited 15 active Facebook learning community members as an expert panel under the saturation principle. After extensive pairwise comparisons between the primary constructs and further matrix calculations, our significant research findings include antecedents to social network fatigue and their causal effects, representing a valuable complement to conventional structural equation modeling–approaches. We also discuss the theoretical and practical implications of the study.

Learn-CIAM: A Model-Driven Approach for the Development of Collaborative Learning Tools

This paper introduces Learn-CIAM, a new model-based methodological approach for the design of flows and for the semi-automatic generation of tools in order to support collaborative learning tasks. The main objective of this work is to help professors by establishing a series of steps for the specification of their learning courses and the obtaining of collaborative tools to support certain learning activities (in particular, for in-group editing, searching and modeling). This paper presents a complete methodological framework, how it is supported conceptually and technologically, and an application example. So to guarantee the validity of the proposal, we also present some validation processes with potential designers and users from different profiles such as Education and Computer Science. The results seem to demonstrate a positive reception and acceptance, concluding that its application would facilitate the design of learning courses and the generation of collaborative learning tools for professionals of both profiles.

FRAMEWORK FOR DEVELOPING INTELLECTUAL SKILLS USING COLLABORATIVE LEARNING TOOLS: THE EXPERTS’ CONSENSUS

Background and Purpose: Students in higher education need intellectual skills for critical thinking, problem-solving and creating new knowledge. Social interactions during collaborative learning (CL) encourage these cognitive processes. However, instructors lack the skill to develop intellectual skills using appropriate pedagogy and CL tools. Hence, this study seeks to develop a framework for developing intellectual skills. Methodology: The Fuzzy Delphi Method (FDM) was employed to identify and determine consensus on elements to teach intellectual skills among 16 panel of experts in educational technology and continuous professional development. In the first round, semi-structured interviews were conducted among four experts and the themes emerging from the interviews were used to develop the FDM questionnaire. The questionnaire was used in the second round of the FDM to determine consensus among the experts based on calculations of the defuzzification value. Findings: The consensus among the experts is that resources for teaching intellectual skills are videos, interactive slides, animation/graphics and quizzes while the corresponding assessments are student-generated contents (i.e videos, infographic posters, interactive slides and designed products). Contribution: The framework with the instructional strategies, resources and assessment provides a guideline for instructors to plan instruction for developing intellectual skills and generating new knowledge. Keywords: intellectual skills, collaborative learning, collaborative learning tools, Fuzzy Delphi, Merrill’s First Principles of Instruction Cite as: Vasodavan, V., DeWitt, D., & Alias, N. (2021). Framework for developing intellectual skills using collaborative learning tools: The experts’ consensus. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 6(1), 284-308. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol6iss1pp284-308

Online Collaborative Learning Tools and Types

Online/web-based collaborative tools enable teachers and students to perform a wide range of tasks, such as interactive discussions, online collaboration activities, sharing and accessing electronic learning resources, and many more others. It not only promotes critical thinking and reflection in students but also encourages them to develop a sense of community, thus enabling the creation of an environment in which further collaborative work can take place. The author has categorised various tools into 11 types that deal with idea generation and brainstorming, live conference, robotics and coding tools, mapping, design, online group work and document collaboration, and online communication and content development. The chapter explains the online collaboration with its features, preparation required by institution and role of teacher presence in online learning. It also emphasizes that library consultations (i.e., librarians) directly boost student learning, so the active collaboration of librarians is a must.

Students’ experiences and perceptions of online collaborative learning in two Kenyan universities

Modern advancements in technology have diffused into the higher education sector with electronic communication platforms being used for learning in these institutions. While course instructors are utilizing these platforms in Kenyan universities, there is a dearth of evidence on students’ experiences and perceptions of online collaborative learning tools. As such, this study sought to establish the experiences and the perceptions students have of one of the tools, namely blogs, as a learning and collaborative tool. A questionnaire with both closed and open-ended questions was administered to 71 students from a public and a private university in the country. The findings indicate that blogging enhanced interaction among fellow students and instructors and encouraged students to research further outside the classroom. However, students also experienced challenges in blogging, such as a lack of adequate infrastructure and slow internet speed. The study recommends that instructors should adopt the use of collaborative learning tools as teaching and learning moves from physical interaction to online platforms. In addition, institutions should mitigate the challenges faced by the students. This is especially so considering that students have a positive perception towards online collaborative learning. Keywords: Online learning, Collaborative learning, Blogging, Students experiences, University teaching and learningHow to cite this article:Kiarie, C. & Muindi, B. 2020. Students’ experiences and perceptions of online collaborative learning in two Kenyan universities. Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in the South. 4(2): 138-159. https://doi.org/10.36615/sotls.v4i2.130.This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Collaborative Learning Tools for Constructive Learning in Maldives Collaborative

Collaborative student work has taken a stronghold in higher educational contexts due to the paradigm shift from instructor-centered to student-centered teaching and learning. Instructor roles have shifted towards facilitation and students have become more active in their learning, creating and sharing knowledge within their social groups. The availability of online tools enabling peer collaboration has been the main driving force behind this progress. These online collaborative learning environments have been particularly useful for geographically distributed learners with limited opportunities for face-to-face collaboration. With the evidence from literature, this has proven to be applicable to Maldives, with its unique geography of 1190 islands distributed over 20 atolls, with students across the country in executing constructive learning approaches in Maldives.

Collaborative Discussion Using Padlet to Enhance the Teaching and Learning of Essay Writing in Mandarin Language

Writing skills demand the best pedagogical practices to engage students who struggle with essay writing. In line with the fast-paced, ever-evolving digital advancement, instructors are encouraged to transform their teaching method by integrating technology to help to improve students' writing skills. To do so, one of the ways is to adopt technological tools such as collaborative learning tools in their writing courses to make learning more interactive, interesting, and stimulating. This research, therefore, attempts to examine how Padlet can be utilized to transform didactic teaching and learning into innovative pedagogy to create new learning experiences for tertiary undergraduates. The undergraduates were instructed to use Padlet in their writing task, and this provides many opportunities for constructive learning through a resource-based approach where undergraduates learn from one another and the instructor shows well-written examples or incorrect sentences posted by the undergraduates.