Skill sets such as understanding and applying computational concepts are essential prerequisites for success in the 21st century. One can learn computational concepts by taking a traditional course offered in a school or by self-guided learning through an online platform. Collaborative learning has emerged as an approach that researchers have found to be generally applicable and effective for teaching computational concepts. Rather than learning individually, collaboration can help reduce the anxiety level of learners, improve understanding and create a positive atmosphere to learning Computational Thinking (CT). There is, however, limited research focusing on how natural collaborative interactions among learners manifest during learning of computational concepts. Structured as a manuscript style dissertation, this doctoral study investigates three different but related aspects of novice learners collaboratively learning CT. The first manuscript (qualitative study) provides an overall understanding of the contextual factors and characterizes collaborative aspects of learning in a CT face-to-face classroom at a large Southeastern University. The second manuscript (qualitative study) investigates the social interaction occurring between group members of the same classroom. And the third manuscript (quantitative study) focuses on the relationship between different social interactions initiated by users and learning of CT in an online learning platform Scratch™. In the two diverse settings, Chi's (2009) Differentiated Overt Learning Activities (DOLA) has been used as a lens to better understand the significance of social interactions in terms of being active, constructive and interactive. Together, the findings of this dissertation study contribute to the limited body of CT research by providing insight on novice learner's attitude towards learning CT, collaborative moments of learning CT, and the differences in relationship between social interactions and learning CT. The identification of collaborative attributes of CT is expected to help educators in designing learning activities that facilitate such interactions within group of learners and look out for traits of such activities to assess CT in both classroom and online settings. / PHD

International experience is important to prepare university students for the modern labor market in the globalized knowledge economy. While financial, societal, and political obstacles may limit students’ mobility in developing countries, using Web 2.0 and Social Media applications can enable them to engage in a virtual social learning environment to interact with peers and instructors abroad in an enjoyable, inclusive international Virtual Collaborative Learning experience. This study investigates the factors influencing Palestinian students’ perception of this experience, and explores the enhancement potential to fit the needs of developing countries. Thirty-four contextual, design, and individual factors were linked by course participants from Palestine to their reported motivation, enjoyment, and satisfaction in this new learning scenario. Recommended improvements in the design and implementation of similar arrangements are concluded from the qualitative evaluation of this empirical case study.

<p>This work focuses on collaborative learning and how it canbe applied and supported in distance education. Previous workindi-cates that distance learners experience more loneliness,technical problems and lack of stimulation than face-to-facelearners do. Collaboration with peers may improve the feelingof connectedness and engagement. However, collaborativelearning is not the answer to all problems in distanceeducation--and it creates new problems. The present workexplores problems, opportunities and processes whencollaborative learning is introduced in distance education--andsuggests solutions.</p><p>Related research on distance education andcomputer-supported collaborative learning is reviewed andrelated to own research. The different roles of information andcommunication technology in these areas are described.</p><p>Six own research papers are reviewed and integrated. Threeof them explore university courses on computer use in society.Learners interacted mainly through a forum system, i.e. asystem for text-based, asynchronous electronic conferences anddiscussions. The special character offorum communication hadan impact on communication and collaboration processes. Onepaper summarizes these results and deduces a first list of tipsto teachers and systems designers, aiming to reduce problemsand take advantage of collabo-rative-learningopportunities.</p><p>One paper, a report to the Swedish School Board, provides anoverview of research on distance education, withrecommendations for use in secondary schools.</p><p>To get a broader picture of distance-education learners andtheir special situation and interests, a study was conducted inAustralia. Most of the learners were secondary-school students,living far away from towns. Communication was normallyrestricted to mail, radio and telephone. Opportunities forcollaboration between peers were rare, and correspondencetraditions and the lack of technological infrastructure weredelaying changes. However, a development towards morecollaborative learning had started.</p><p>Empirical data were gathered ethnographically in naturalcourse settings. Results were analysed using 'activity theory'as a framework.</p><p>The main contribution of this work is a description of howthree groups of learning processes develop and interact: (a) ofcontent, (b) of communication, and (c) of collaboration. Theyform the spiralling model of a<b>"Triple Helix"</b>. Finally, detailed advice is given aschecklists to organisations, teachers, learners and systemdesigners.</p><p><b>Keywords:</b>Distance education, Collaborative learning,Computer-supported collaborative learning, Information andcommuni-cation technology, ICT, Forum system, Learningprocesses.</p>

The purpose of the study was to examine elements which affected students' team trust building in an online collaborative learning team and relationships among these elements. The setting of this study was a graduate-level online course on Computer Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) in which all course activities were conducted collaboratively through online communications. Data were collected from multiple sources including interviews which were audio taped, transcripts of students' self-reflective journals, transcripts of messages on the asynchronous web conferencing system, transcripts of messages on the synchronous web conferencing system, and the researcher's reflective journals. Data were analyzed using the coding procedures for developing grounded theory proposed by Strauss and Corbin (1998). Results of the data analysis indicated the influences of CSCL course context including the collaborative nature of the course and the heterogeneity of teams on students' team trust building. Results also indicated the dynamics of team trust building. Four different components of team trust building, which were initial team trust, contributors, dimensions, and consequences of team trust, influenced one another. Students’ initial team trust influenced the contributors to team trust which were students' competence, reliability, online communication, and caring. In addition, these contributors influenced the dimensions of team trust such as task performance trust and interpersonal trust. Once students built trust in their teams, they could develop collaborative knowledge building and a sense of community which were the consequences of team trust. The consequences of students’ team trust, in turn, influenced the contributors to team trust. Understanding the construct of team trust may help not only instructors in their design and guidance of successful online collaborative learning teams, but also students in various online collaborative learning teams. In addition, the results of this study may help instructors and researchers to consider carefully the issues in relation to online team trust building. / text

This work focuses on collaborative learning and how it canbe applied and supported in distance education. Previous workindi-cates that distance learners experience more loneliness,technical problems and lack of stimulation than face-to-facelearners do. Collaboration with peers may improve the feelingof connectedness and engagement. However, collaborativelearning is not the answer to all problems in distanceeducation--and it creates new problems. The present workexplores problems, opportunities and processes whencollaborative learning is introduced in distance education--andsuggests solutions. Related research on distance education andcomputer-supported collaborative learning is reviewed andrelated to own research. The different roles of information andcommunication technology in these areas are described. Six own research papers are reviewed and integrated. Threeof them explore university courses on computer use in society.Learners interacted mainly through a forum system, i.e. asystem for text-based, asynchronous electronic conferences anddiscussions. The special character offorum communication hadan impact on communication and collaboration processes. Onepaper summarizes these results and deduces a first list of tipsto teachers and systems designers, aiming to reduce problemsand take advantage of collabo-rative-learningopportunities. One paper, a report to the Swedish School Board, provides anoverview of research on distance education, withrecommendations for use in secondary schools. To get a broader picture of distance-education learners andtheir special situation and interests, a study was conducted inAustralia. Most of the learners were secondary-school students,living far away from towns. Communication was normallyrestricted to mail, radio and telephone. Opportunities forcollaboration between peers were rare, and correspondencetraditions and the lack of technological infrastructure weredelaying changes. However, a development towards morecollaborative learning had started. Empirical data were gathered ethnographically in naturalcourse settings. Results were analysed using 'activity theory'as a framework. The main contribution of this work is a description of howthree groups of learning processes develop and interact: (a) ofcontent, (b) of communication, and (c) of collaboration. Theyform the spiralling model of a"Triple Helix". Finally, detailed advice is given aschecklists to organisations, teachers, learners and systemdesigners. Keywords:Distance education, Collaborative learning,Computer-supported collaborative learning, Information andcommuni-cation technology, ICT, Forum system, Learningprocesses. / <p>NR 20140805</p>

Collaboration is a sought-after competency in the 21st-century knowledge economy in which the value of collective ideas and innovations are emphasized. Educational institutions have a role to play in preparing graduates to work well in collaborative teams. However, collaborating with peers is often received with mixed feelings. Students raise concerns about group members’ motivation and engagement, in anticipation of unsatisfactory social and learning outcomes. Facing motivation challenges in collaboration is a common occurrence, but limited research examines how students working in groups manage motivation challenges in that context. The purpose of this multi-paper dissertation was to examine undergraduate students’ regulatory responses to motivation challenges during online collaborations. Three empirical studies comprising this dissertation examined: the interrelated process involved in groups’ regulation of the socio-emotional aspect of collaboration (Bakhtiar, Webster, & Hadwin), the tactics and strategies students enacted in response to salient motivation challenges (Bakhtiar, Hadwin, & Järvenoja, 2019), and the dynamic interplay between individual- and group-level regulation during motivationally challenging situations (Bakhtiar & Hadwin, 2019). The first study was a comparative case analysis between two groups with contrasting socio-emotional climates. Groups’ self-report and observational data (collected before, during, and after a 90-minute collaboration) were examined in relation to the COPES-model of regulation to identify the similarities and differences between groups’ prevailing conditions, operations, products, evaluations, and standards in regulation. In Study 2, group members’ perceptions of motivation challenges that emerged during planning, early, and towards the end of a semester-long collaborative project were explored. Students’ open descriptions of strategies adopted in response to their salient motivation challenges were qualitatively coded. Study 3 was another comparative case analysis between two groups, who experienced high levels of motivation challenges during collaboration but achieved contrasting group perceptions of team learning productivity. The groups’ use of self-, co-, and socially shared-regulation of motivation in three collaborative sessions were examined and contextualized using group members’ self-reports and log data. Findings across the three studies were discussed in terms of their contributions to the COPES scripts of regulating motivation in collaboration, to develop a catalogue of individual and social strategies for regulating motivation, and to identify adaptive forms of motivation regulation in collaboration. Overall, groups that experienced a more positive outcome regarding motivation regulation had group members who (a) were more prepared going into the task, (b) engaged in proactive forms of regulation, (c) more metacognitively attuned to individuals’ and groups’ diverse needs and challenges, (d) used diverse types of strategies, and (e) regulated each other in a positive and encouraging way. Future directions are discussed in terms of examining the metacognitive information students base on when regulating motivation individually, for others, and as a team, as well as designing tools and instructions to support motivation in collaboration. / Graduate

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-12T20:22:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Jucilene Rosa Citadin.pdf: 3612746 bytes, checksum: 166b327aaf526b2c31111cff753d5b74 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-08-31 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / A formação de grupos para a aprendizagem colaborativa é uma tarefa importante, pois deve permitir a efetiva interação dos membros de um grupo. No entanto, a explosão combinatória relativa ao número de estudantes torna a formação de grupos um problema de otimização combinatória, que é NP-hard, isto é, um problema que não tem solução ótima em tempo polinomial. A resolução desses problemas de complexidade não polinomial requer um grande esforço computacional e aplicação de heurísticas ou meta-heurísticas para chegar a soluções viáveis em tempos adequados. Uma meta-heurística que tem provado ser eficiente na resolução de problemas de otimização NP-hard são os algoritmos genéticos (AG). Por isso, esta pesquisa avalia a adoção de algoritmos genéticos para a formação de grupos na aprendizagem colaborativa, considerando um contexto massivo de dados (milhares de estudantes). Pesquisas bibliográficas e um mapeamento sistemático da literatura sobre formação de grupos para aprendizagem colaborativa foram realizados. Constituir grupos de forma automática, considerando a abordagem selecionada e o critério heterogêneo, utilizando como recurso algoritmos genéticos, foram os resultados apontados pelo mapeamento. Assim, esta pesquisa se propôs a gerar grupos heterogêneos de forma automática, utilizando como abordagem grupo selecionado, considerando os conhecimentos e as interações dos estudantes. Algoritmos genéticos foram utilizados para a formação dos grupos, que teve como objetivo maximizar a heterogeneidade dos conhecimentos e as interações dos estudantes no grupo, além de gerar grupos balanceados entre si (inter-homogêneos). Foram desenvolvidos dois algoritmos, um AG e um randômico como método base de comparação. Ambos foram testados considerando dados de mil até dez mil estudantes, com diferentes configurações dos conhecimentos e interações. A comparação foi feita considerando o fitness, o percentual de grupos heterogêneos e/ou balanceados gerados pelos algoritmos e o tempo de processamento gasto por grupo gerado. Os resultados apontam que AG é eficaz para a formação de grupos heterogêneos na aprendizagem colaborativa. Os resultados do AG foram mais eficientes que os resultados do algoritmo randômico, para conhecimentos heterogêneos e conhecimentos aleatórios. Para conhecimentos homogêneos o AG teve a mesma eficiência que o algoritmo randômico, porém é mais eficaz, pois gera mais grupos balanceados do que o algoritmo randômico.

A Aprendizagem Colaborativa com Suporte Computacional (CSCL) é uma área de pesquisa que investiga como a tecnologia pode ser usada para apoiar a interação e a colaboração nas atividades realizadas em grupo, promovendo a construção do conhecimento individual e coletivo dos seus participantes. Um dos desafios desse campo de pesquisa refere-se à formação de grupos de aprendizagem efetivos. Esses grupos são caracterizados pela sinergia existente entre os seus membros para que os objetivos do trabalho sejam alcançados de forma plena, assegurando a melhoria dos resultados de aprendizagem de cada um dos envolvidos. Apesar das importantes contribuições, pesquisadores da CSCL apontam problemas relacionados à resistência e desmotivação dos estudantes para o trabalho em grupo, que pode ser influenciada por características pessoais dos alunos, como os traços de personalidade. Nesse sentido, este trabalho de doutorado tem como objetivo verificar a influência dos traços de personalidade na formação de grupos baseados em teorias de aprendizagem colaborativa, e criar mecanismos para automatizar e apoiar a formação dos grupos em ambientes CSCL. Para alcançar esse objetivo, três desafios de pesquisa foram estabelecidos. O primeiro se propõe a investigar a influência dos traços de personalidade na efetividade dos grupos (aprendizado, satisfação, motivação) baseados em teorias de aprendizagem colaborativa. Para isso, foi realizado um estudo experimental, com 156 alunos do ensino fundamental II, que confirmou a influência dos traços de personalidade, rigidez mental e emocionalidade, na aprendizagem e motivação de 78 grupos apoiados pela teoria de aprendizagem colaborativa Peer Tutoring. O segundo desafio de pesquisa consiste no desenvolvimento de um modelo formal para relacionar os traços de personalidade às teorias de aprendizagem colaborativa. Dessa forma, foi desenvolvido um método, composto por quatros passos, para modelagem de novos papéis de aprendizagem, denominados de Papéis Colaborativos Afetivos (PCAs). Com base nesses PCAs é possível criar novos cenários de aprendizagem colaborativa e, além disso, estabelecer estratégias de aprendizagem para lidar com as características dos traços de personalidade que podem influenciar negativamente o comportamento dos estudantes. Dois estudos de caso foram conduzidos para avaliar o modelo formal. O primeiro, realizado com 10 alunos na faixa de idade de 13-16 anos, avaliou o impacto da característica de insociabilidade e impulsividade na formação de grupos baseados na teoria de aprendizagem Anchored Instruction. O segundo foi desenvolvido com 15 alunos, na faixa de idade de 09-10 anos, e investigou a influência da característica de alta e baixa impulsividade na formação de grupos baseados na teoria de aprendizagem Distributed Cognition. Os resultados mostraram que este modelo contribui para o design de cenários colaborativos mais efetivos, visto que ele personaliza a formação de grupos ao propor a criação de novos papéis de aprendizagem que consideram os traços de personalidade associados às teorias de aprendizagem. Finalmente, o último desafio de pesquisa refere-se ao desenvolvimento de um algoritmo que utilize os novos PCAs para a criação de grupos. Como resultado, foi implementado o algoritmo G-FusionPT que, baseado em uma amostra simulada de 300 alunos, mostrou ser mais efetivo quando comparado a dois outros algoritmos de formação de grupos. / Computer Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) is a research area which investigates how technology can support the interaction and collaboration in group activities, while promoting individual and collective learning. One of the challenges in CSCL is the creation of effective learning groups. A key aspect of these groups is the synergy among their members which enables their objectives to be thoroughly fulfilled, ensuring improvements in the learning results of each participant. Despite of important contributions, CSCL researchers have been pointing out problems related to students resistance and demotivation to work in groups, which can be influenced by their personal characteristics, such as personality traits. In this context, this doctoral investigation aims at verifying the influence of personality traits in group formation based on collaborative learning theories, and creating mechanisms to automate and support group formation in CSCL environments. Three research challenges have been established to achieve this goal. The first proposes to investigate personality traits influence in group effectiveness (learning, satisfaction, motivation) based on collaborative learning theories. Thus, we carried out an experimental study, with 156 elementary students, which confirmed the influence of psychoticism and neuroticism personality traits in the learning and motivation of 78 groups supported by Peer Tutoring collaborative learning theory. The second research challenge is the development of a formal model matching personality traits and collaborative learning theories. Thus, we developed a four steps method to model new learning roles, denominated Affective Collaborative Learning (ACL) roles. Those allowed the creation of new collaborative learning scenarios and the establishment of learning strategies to deal with personality traits characteristics that may negatively influence students behavior. Two case studies were performed to evaluate the formal model. The first study, performed with 10 students aged between 13-16, investigated the impact of unsociable and impulsive characteristics in group formation based on Anchored Instruction collaborative learning theory. The second study, performed with 15 students aged between 09-10, investigated the influence of high and low impulsivity characteristics in group formation based on Distributed Cognition collaborative learning theory. The results showed that this model contributes to the design of effective CSCL scenarios, whereas it personalizes the formation of groups using personality traits and ACL roles. Finally, the last research challenge refers to development of an algorithm employing the new ACL roles to creation of groups. As results, we implemented G-FusionPT algorithm and, based on an artificial sample of 300 simulated students, it proved to be more effective than two previous group formation algorithms.

Dieser Beitrag untersucht die These über die Existenz von Digital Natives. Die Vertreter dieser These postulieren, dass Studenten und Schüler durch den frühen Kontakt mit Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologien hinsichtlich ihres Lern-, Arbeits- und Kommunikationsverhaltens wesentlich verändert wurden. Um diese Aussage zu bewerten, werden Erfahrungen mit Virtual Collaborative Learning Veranstaltungen herangezogen. Die aktuellste durchgeführte Veranstaltung wird als Fallstudie vorgestellt und analysiert.

Portable and interactive technologies are changing the nature of collaborative learning practices. Learning can now occur both in and beyond the classroom and furthermore combine formal and informal activities monitored and orchestrated across spatial locations. This rises to a new type of orchestrated learning that we term Computer Supported Collaborative Blended Learning (CSCBL) scripts. This thesis investigates the challenges associated with the design of CSCBL scripts and with the technologies responsible for their enactment. Three contributions are presented. First, a conceptual model that combines 4 factors to be considered in the design of CSCBL scripts. Second, technological solutions operationalizing the aforementioned factors are proposed and evaluated through synthetic experiences. And third, four CSCBL experiments using 4SPPIces. These experiments are analyzed into two interrelated multicase case studies, whose cross-analyzed results provide an evaluation of the model, of the operationalization solutions supporting the enactment of the involved CSCBL scripts and of the educational value of the experiences themselves. / La introducción de tecnologías interactivas y móviles está produciendo un cambio significativo en la naturaleza de las prácticas educativas. Actualmente, el aprendizaje mediante colaboración se puede dar en situaciones en que secuencias de actividades formales e informales dentro y fuera del aula se combinan e integran de forma coordinada. Esto da lugar a un nuevo tipo de actividades de colaboración orquestadas en entornos mezclados que llamaremos guiones CSCBL (de su acrónimo en inglés). Esta tesis investiga los retos relacionados con diseño de los guiones CSCBL y de la selección apropiada de la tecnología para su puesta en marcha. De este trabajo de investigación se derivan tres contribuciones principales. Primero, se propone un modelo conceptual que combina 4 factores a tener en cuenta en el diseño de guiones CSCBL. Segundo, se proponen un conjunto de soluciones tecnológicas para dar soporte computacional a los diferentes factores del modelo y dar apoyo a la puesta en marcha de guiones CSCBL. Cada una de estas soluciones se evalúa mediante experimentos sintéticos. Finalmente, esta tesis presenta tres experimentos en que se usa el modelo para proponer actividades de colaboración en entornos mezclados y aplicarlas en entornos reales. Estos experimentos han sido evaluados mediante dos estudios múltiples de casos. El análisis cruzado de los resultados de los casos englobados en cada estudio ofrece una evaluación de la utilidad del modelo y de las soluciones tecnológicas adoptadas para su puesta en marcha.