Computer Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) is one approach that seemingly maps neatly to the notion of equipping learners for emergent knowledge-age work practice currently exemplified by Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW) or Virtual Teams. However, the difficulty of achieving peer interaction in Computer Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) environments has proved to be a recurrent problem. Seemingly collaborative settings have been interpreted too narrowly referring only to positive phenomenon. There has been a tendency to focus on technology rather than social scaffolds. Little is known about the influence of students' personalities on online collaborative interaction and knowledge-building activity. Within collaborative team based contexts individuals demonstrate preferences towards certain activities. Such preferences and combinations of preferences may affect team knowledge-building activity both in terms of quality and efficiency. This thesis reports on the findings from a study that investigated if knowledge-building activity can be enhanced in tertiary education CSCL environments through the use of teams balanced by Team Role Preference.

The aim of this study was to determine whether personality types are predictors of team roles in order to make recommendations for the use of personality types, in conjunction with team roles, in selection and teambuilding. The study was conducted among 50 professionals and managers in Western Cape organisations. The data was collected by means of the Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator (MBTI) and the TearnBuilder Model of Team Roles. Supporting evidence, although not sufficient, indicates that the Extraversion (E) personality type is a positive predictor of the Driving Onward team role and a negative predictor of the Delivering Plans team role. The Introversion (I) personality type is not a predictor of any team role. The Sensing (S) personality type is a negative predictor of the Driving Onward team role and a positive predictor of the Delivering Plans team role. The Intuition (N) personality type is a positive predictor of the Driving Onward team role and a negative predictor of the Delivering Plans team role. The Thinking (T) personality type is a positive predictor of the Controlling Quality team role. The Feeling (F) personality type is not a predictor of any team role. The Judging (J) personality type is a positive predictor of the Planning Ahead team role, and the Perceiving (P) personality type is a negative predictor of the Planning Ahead team role. It can be assumed that the full range of personality types will be a predictor of the full range of team roles, should a larger sample size and geographical sample group be included in the study. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.A. (Industrial Psychology)

The aim of this study was to determine whether personality types are predictors of team roles in order to make recommendations for the use of personality types, in conjunction with team roles, in selection and teambuilding. The study was conducted among 50 professionals and managers in Western Cape organisations. The data was collected by means of the Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator (MBTI) and the TearnBuilder Model of Team Roles. Supporting evidence, although not sufficient, indicates that the Extraversion (E) personality type is a positive predictor of the Driving Onward team role and a negative predictor of the Delivering Plans team role. The Introversion (I) personality type is not a predictor of any team role. The Sensing (S) personality type is a negative predictor of the Driving Onward team role and a positive predictor of the Delivering Plans team role. The Intuition (N) personality type is a positive predictor of the Driving Onward team role and a negative predictor of the Delivering Plans team role. The Thinking (T) personality type is a positive predictor of the Controlling Quality team role. The Feeling (F) personality type is not a predictor of any team role. The Judging (J) personality type is a positive predictor of the Planning Ahead team role, and the Perceiving (P) personality type is a negative predictor of the Planning Ahead team role. It can be assumed that the full range of personality types will be a predictor of the full range of team roles, should a larger sample size and geographical sample group be included in the study. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.A. (Industrial Psychology)