Computer Supported Cooperative Working CSCW

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Computer Supported Cooperative Working (CSCW)

• Sub-module Introduction

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CSCW

• Objectives of todays lectures
• To introduce the submodules aims, resources, and
  structure
• To discuss assessment for this component of the
  ASE module
• To introduce CSCW and Groupware
• To introduce the concepts of groups and computer
  support for groups.
• To highlight the general characteristics of CSCW
  systems.
• To discuss a number of examples of CSCW systems.

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Sub-module aims

• To introduce CSCW and Groupware
• To introduce social, technical, and
  socio-technical aspects of CSCW
• To consider the role of CSCW in software
  engineering

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Sub-module structure and delivery

• Weekly lectures, discussions and practicals
• two lectures/discussions per week
• group discussions in lectures
• weekly reading for students - basis for essay and
  group discussions using GroupWare tools
• one assessed essay
• hands-on practical discussions to introduce
  students to GroupWare
• all assessments formative - except exam at end of
  year

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Organisational Details

• The CSCW sub-module will require your
  participation on a week by week basis - there are
  readings associated with each week.
• Practicals take the form of on-line discussions
  during private study time.
• Students will be assigned to groups for the
  practicals.
• There are sub-module web pages at -
  www.dur.ac.uk/cornelia.boldyreff/local/CSCW (n.b.
  these are under development!)

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CSCW
Wilsons 1990 definition a generic term which
combines the understanding of the way people work
in groups with the enabling technologies of
computer networking and associated hardware,
software, services and techniques Bannon and
Schmidts 1991 definition an endeavour to
understand the nature and characteristics of
cooperative work with the objective of designing
adequate computer-based technologies Contributing
Disciplines include Computer Science
including Social Informatics, System
Theory, Software Engineering, and Artificial
Intelligence, Social Sciences including
Psychology, Linguistics, Sociology,
Anthropology, Ethnography, Organisational
Theory, and Management Studies
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More recent definitions

• Rodden"CSCW is a fusion of the understanding of
  a business organisation with the possibilities of
  modern computer and communication technologies."
  
• Brinck"CSCW is the study of how people work
  together using computer technology. Typical
  topics include use of email, hypertext that
  includes awareness of the activities of other
  users, videoconferencing, chat systems, and
  real-time shared applications, such as
  collaborative writing or drawing."
• Digital Media Laboratory Cybrary "CSCW is a
  multidisciplinary research field including
  computer science, economics, sociology, and
  psychology. CSCW research focuses on developing
  new theories and technologies for coordination of
  groups of people who work together."

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Group
"A group is a number of people working together
or sharing beliefs, e.g. part of a political
party." (Oxford Concise Dictionary) All groups
may have Objectives/Purposes
Background/History Common Tasks/Activities
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Groupware
"GroupWare is technology designed to facilitate
the work of groups" (Baurens, 2001) Main
categories of Groupware are Shared information
systems Communication systems Shared workspace
systems Group activity support systems Virtual
spaces Examples include electronic diaries,
electronic mail, electronic newsgroups, hypertext
systems, group workspaces, computer
conferencing, group decision support systems,
collaborative writing tools,
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Primary dimensions of GroupWare and CSCW
Face-to-Face - Same place Distributed -
Different places Synchronous - Same
time Asynchronous - Different times
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4 quadrants of Group Working
Distinction originally from Johansen
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Some Examples ofComputer Support for Group Work

• Telephone networks, Voice Mail, Email
• Presentation Support Software
• Computer Supported Meetings
• Group Decision Support
• Public Windows - WWW
• Computer Conferencing
• Group Writing tools
• Group Issue Management and Project Management
  Support Systems
• ...

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Presentation Support Software
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Computer Supported Meetings
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Group Decision Support Systems (GDSS)
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Use of Telephones
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Public Windows
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Computer Conferencing
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Group Writing
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Group Issue Management and Project Management

• Statements made/Issues raised/Work planned
• Arguments advanced/Actions taken
• Decisions reached/Work progression

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Summary

• CSCW
• Groupware
• Classification and examples of Groupware and CSCW
  Systems