Title: A method for evaluating computer-supported collaborative learning processes

Authors: Cesar A. Collazos, Luis A. Guerrero, Jose A. Pino, Sergio F. Ochoa

Addresses: Department of Computer Science, Universidad de Chile, Blanco Encalada 2120, Casilla 2777, Santiago, Chile. ' Department of Computer Science, Universidad de Chile, Blanco Encalada 2120, Casilla 2777, Santiago, Chile. ' Department of Computer Science, Universidad de Chile, Blanco Encalada 2120, Casilla 2777, Santiago, Chile. ' Department of Computer Science, Universidad de Chile, Blanco Encalada 2120, Casilla 2777, Santiago, Chile

Abstract: Understanding and analysing collaborative learning processes requires a fine-grained sequential analysis of the group interaction in the context of learning goals. Several researchers in the area of cooperative work take the quality of the group outcome as a success criterion. Nevertheless, recent findings are giving importance to the quality of the cooperation process itself. This paper presents a set of indicators the main objective of which is to evaluate the collaborative learning process. In this paper, our aim is to present a method, which can be used in analysing the interaction processes in a CSCL environment. We have defined an experiment to gather data from groups working on a simple task. These data are then used to build some cooperation indicators, which in turn allow us to estimate the quality of the work process.

Keywords: CSCL; CSCL process evaluation; indicators of collaboration.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCAT.2004.004044

International Journal of Computer Applications in Technology, 2004 Vol.19 No.3/4, pp.151 - 161

Published online: 10 May 2004 *

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