What is collaboration? |
Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) |
The terms collaboration and cooperation are often confused, with many people using them interchangeably. However, they are not the same thing. So how does one tell the difference? Well, very simply:
Zurita and Nussbaum (2007) stress the need to clarify the roles and rules of learners when using mobile computer systems in a collaborative learning environment (in Teall, 2014).
Learning theories that support collaboration
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As explained by Lipponen (2001) there is a difference between the collaborative use of technology and collaborative technology, which refers to specific technological support for collaboration built into computer networks. A CSCL environment involves collaborative technology combined with appropriate pedagogy, and can lead to greater ability to reason critically, explain, generate own research questions, and search for information (Arvaja et al., 2008, p. 270-271)
(All examples below are from Bruggeman (2014) and individually credited where necessary).
Collaboration and mobile pedagogyThis video is a concise and easy-to-understand explanation of how collaboration fits into mobile learning pedagogy, presented by Dr. Kevin Burden of the University of Hull, based on the work of Kearney, Schuck, Burden, and Aubusson. The collaboration explanation starts at 2:04, but the whole video is only 4:40, so might be worth the extra two minutes.
He breaks each of the three concepts down further in these videos: Distinctive pedagogies: A framework for mobile learning part II Personalisation (Customization) Situated (Authenticity): |
Strategies for Mobile Collaboration•Ensure the mobile learning tool is matched to the learning goal
•Help students understand the use and potential of the tools they will be using • Communicate learning goals and co-construct success criteria so students know where they are going, but don't prescribe how they will get there • In general, keep groups small • Tools that can support collaborative mobile PBL if combined with appropriate pedagogy: blogs, wikis, mindmaps, interactive multimedia presentations, social media, podcasts, vodcasts |
Examples of collaborative learning
Non-examples of collaboration with technology• Answering Kahoot questions in pairs (although building a quiz together based on your combined knowledge IS collaboration)
• Building a slide presentation together where one person does the content and the other does the formatting • Clicking Like on a social media post without any other engagement What other non-examples of collaboration can you think of? |
Questions to ask if you are unsure whether it is or isn't collaborative learning• Will the students build more knowledge together than they would individually? If yes it's collaborative. If no, it's not collaborative.
• Is the activity teacher-centred or learner-centred? If teacher-centred, it's probably not collaborative. • Is the knowledge foundational or non-foundational? i.e. helping each other learning times tables (foundational) or working with a partner to figure out how to fence a farm for the lowest cost, taking into account material, labour, desired area, etc. (non-foundational) If the knowledge gained is foundational, the learning is probably not collaborative. • Does each group member have a specific role that may determine how in-depth they can go with their learning? (e.g. If one student is assigned to be a "reporter", will that person learn as much as an "analyst"? If yes, it may be cooperative rather than collaborative. |