CEEBL

1
 
 
Aligning collaborative learning theory with
technology
Adele Aubrey, Mark Jasper Anna Verges The
University of Manchester (With thanks
acknowledgment to Peter Whitton Salford
University)
CEEBL
Centre for Excellence in Enquiry-Based Learning
Centre for Excellence in Enquiry-Based Learning
2
Overview
 

• What is Collaborative Learning?
• What theories underpin Collaborative Learning?
• What are the educational benefits?
• What technologies can assist Collaborative
  Learning?

CEEBL
Centre for Excellence in Enquiry-Based Learning
3
 
 
CEEBL
CEEBL
Centre for Excellence in Enquiry-Based Learning
Centre for Excellence in Enquiry-Based Learning
4
Shipwrecked

• Working on your own and without collaboration,
  consider your situation and choose an item to
  bring to the island - ideally something that may
  improve your chances of survival.
• Write the item that you have chosen down on a
  Post-it Note.
• How do you rate your chances of survival? write
  this down too!
• 2 mins MAX

CEEBL
CEEBL
Centre for Excellence in Enquiry-Based Learning
Centre for Excellence in Enquiry-Based Learning
5
Shipwrecked

• You discover that the other people at your table
  have also survived the shipwreck. Find out what
  items the others have chosen to bring to the
  island.
• If you pool your resources as a group, how do
  rate your chances of survival now?
• 2 mins MAX

CEEBL
CEEBL
Centre for Excellence in Enquiry-Based Learning
Centre for Excellence in Enquiry-Based Learning
6
Shipwrecked

• Working with the others at your table, compile a
  list of items to maximise your chances of
  survival on the island one item each.
• How has working collaboratively enhanced your
  groups chances of survival?
•  
• 5 mins MAX

CEEBL
CEEBL
Centre for Excellence in Enquiry-Based Learning
Centre for Excellence in Enquiry-Based Learning
7
What is the background of the collaborative
learning theories we are introducing?

• Vygotskys (1978) view of social constructivism
  where students expand their knowledge in a
  social context.

CEEBL
Centre for Excellence in Enquiry-Based Learning
8
What evidence is there that collaborative
learning works?

• Johnson, Johnson and Smith (2007)
• Johnson, Johnson, Stanne (2000)
• Slavin, (1983, 1991)
• Cooperative learning (enquiry-based group work)
  compared to individual competitive efforts tend
  to result in higher achievement.

CEEBL
Centre for Excellence in Enquiry-Based Learning
9
In what ways can collaborative learning result in
higher achievement?

• Motivation
• Teamwork
• Information retention
• Problem solving
• Attendance

CEEBL
Centre for Excellence in Enquiry-Based Learning
10
How to make collaborative learning successful?

• Positive Interdependence
• Face-to-face promotive interaction
• Individual and group accountability
• Interpersonal and small group skills
• Group Processing
• (Johnson, Johnson, Holubec, 1993)

CEEBL
Centre for Excellence in Enquiry-Based Learning
11
Collaborative Learning Theory Activity

• Summarise and describe the essential aspects of a
  Collaborative Learning Theory in your own words,
  and in three sentences.
• (using group discussion  to help refine your own
  definitions)
• A representative will be randomly selected from
  your group to present to the whole room - the
  presentation will take no more than 1 minute
•  
• 15mins

CEEBL
CEEBL
Centre for Excellence in Enquiry-Based Learning
Centre for Excellence in Enquiry-Based Learning
12
Reflection Activity

• What just happened?
• How did working in a group help you construct an
  understanding of the learning theory?
• Take 3 mins to reflect on your own, then share
  your reflections and insights with your group.
•  
• 10 mins

CEEBL
CEEBL
Centre for Excellence in Enquiry-Based Learning
Centre for Excellence in Enquiry-Based Learning
13
Collaborative Tools Activity

• Summarise and describe the essential aspects of a
  collaborative tool in your own words, and in
  three sentences.
• (using group discussion  to help refine your own
  definitions)
• A representative will be randomly selected from
  your group to present to the whole room - the
  presentation will take no more than 1 minute
•  
• 10 mins

CEEBL
CEEBL
Centre for Excellence in Enquiry-Based Learning
Centre for Excellence in Enquiry-Based Learning
14
Scenarios Activity

• Create an Activity Design for the Environmental
  Housing Construction Course Unit (or a course
  unit that you know about)
• using a collaborative tool and
• applying and utilising the Collaborative Learning
  Theory allocated to your group.
• Complete the COLLABORATIVE LEARNING ACTIVITY
  DESIGN TEMPLATE.
• 25 mins

CEEBL
CEEBL
Centre for Excellence in Enquiry-Based Learning
Centre for Excellence in Enquiry-Based Learning