Title: Visual modelling and designing for cooperative learning and development of team competences

Authors: Kathrin Figl, Michael Derntl, Sonja Kabicher

Addresses: Institute for Information Systems and New Media, WU Vienna University of Economics and Business, Augasse 2-6, 1010 Vienna, Austria. ' University of Vienna, Research Lab for Educational Technologies, Rathausstrasse 19/9, 1010 Vienna, Austria. ' University of Vienna, Research Lab for Educational Technologies, Rathausstrasse 19/9, 1010 Vienna, Austria

Abstract: This paper proposes a holistic approach to designing for the promotion of team and social competences in blended learning courses. Planning and modelling cooperative learning scenarios based on a domain specific modelling notation in the style of UML activity diagrams and comparing evaluation results with planned outcomes allows for iterative optimisation of a course|s design. In a case study – a course on project management for computer science students – the instructional design including individual and cooperative learning situations was modelled. Specific emphasis was placed on visualising the hypothesised development of team competences in the course design models. These models were subsequently compared to evaluation results obtained during the course. The results show that visual modelling of planned competence promotion enables a more focused design, implementation and evaluation of collaborative learning scenarios.

Keywords: cooperative learning; visual learning design; design languages; unified modeling language; UML activity diagrams; teamwork; team competences; holistic approaches; social competences; blended learning courses; modelling notations; evaluation; planned outcomes; iterative optimisation; course design; project management; computer science students; individual learning; hypothesis visualisation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJKL.2009.031198

International Journal of Knowledge and Learning, 2009 Vol.5 No.3/4, pp.235 - 253

Published online: 25 Jan 2010 *

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