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Designs for collaborative learning environments: can specialization encourage knowledge integration?

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Alex J. CuthbertAuthors Info & Claims

CSCL '99: Proceedings of the 1999 conference on Computer support for collaborative learning

Pages 13 - es

Published: 12 December 1999 Publication History

Abstract

In this paper, I develop strategies for designing and assessing collaborative learning environments from a knowledge integration perspective. I identify strengths and weaknesses associated with collaborative learning, linking them to the instructional approaches used in an eighth-grade science curriculum where students design a desert house. The house design activity provides a context for connecting instructional goals and technical innovations. Focusing on how students specializing in different areas can share ideas and provide feedback for each other, I show how social and technical supports can work to achieve common goals. I examine two assumptions about how an expanded repertoire of models contributes to knowledge integration. First, I provide evidence that considering more alternatives leads to improved designs only if students have a framework for organizing those alternatives and selecting between them. Then, I provide evidence that encouraging students to iteratively refine their ideas contributes to knowledge integration. Finally, I show how these cognitive goals can be pursued through social and technical innovations which seek to encourage knowledge integration by making thinking visible for students.

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Cited By

Peng JFougères ADeniaud SFerney M(2010)An E-collaborative learning environment based on dynamic workflow systemProceedings of the 9th international conference on Information technology based higher education and training10.5555/1859576.1859615(225-229)Online publication date: 29-Apr-2010
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.5555/1859576.1859615
Singley MSingh MFairweather PFarrell RSwerling SKellogg WWhittaker S(2000)Algebra jamProceedings of the 2000 ACM conference on Computer supported cooperative work10.1145/358916.358985(145-154)Online publication date: 1-Dec-2000
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/358916.358985

Designs for collaborative learning environments: can specialization encourage knowledge integration?
1. Human-centered computing

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CSCL '99: Proceedings of the 1999 conference on Computer support for collaborative learning

December 1999

962 pages

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International Society of the Learning Sciences

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Published: 12 December 1999

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Cited By

Peng JFougères ADeniaud SFerney M(2010)An E-collaborative learning environment based on dynamic workflow systemProceedings of the 9th international conference on Information technology based higher education and training10.5555/1859576.1859615(225-229)Online publication date: 29-Apr-2010
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.5555/1859576.1859615
Singley MSingh MFairweather PFarrell RSwerling SKellogg WWhittaker S(2000)Algebra jamProceedings of the 2000 ACM conference on Computer supported cooperative work10.1145/358916.358985(145-154)Online publication date: 1-Dec-2000
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/358916.358985

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