1. Computer Supported Collaborative Learning in a Geologic Simulation
Otto Borchert
Master of Science Thesis Defense
March 10, 2008

2. What is the Geology Explorer?
Planet opposite the sun
Need geologists!
Pre-assessment (Are you good enough to go?)‏
Identify rocks and minerals
Create a geologic map
Postassessment (Debriefing)‏

3. Individualistic Behavior

4. What has been added?

5. Thesis Question
Can we implement collaborative exercises on the Geology Explorer in such a way that it increases learning gains?
Let's look at some examples of working collaborative efforts, both off-line and on-line

6. Offline Methods Jigsaw Student Teams – Achievement Divisions
Group Investigation

7. Jigsaw Aronson (1978)‏ Divide a project into pieces 1) Introduction
2) Focused Exploration
3) Reporting and Reshaping
4) Integration and Evaluation

8. STAD Student Teams – Achievement Divisions John Hopkins University
Heterogeneous groups
Learn topic as a team
Take quiz on completion
Awards for milestone completion

9. Group Investigation Sharan and Sharan (1994)‏ Similar to Jigsaw
Students take charge of their own learning

10. Online Methods - CSCL
Computer Supported Intentional Learning Environment
Fifth Dimension
Electronic Network for Interaction

11. CSILE Computer Supported Intentional Learning Environment
Develop a body of knowledge

12. 5th Dimension Method of organizing after-school activities
Both online and offline, educational and entertainment
Everyone works together
Students
Researchers
Professors
Community

13. ENFI Electronic Network For Interaction Gallaudet University in 1985
Collaborative writing for hearing impaired

14. Advantages and Disadvantages
Increases academic skills
Easier to root out misconceptions
Provide collaborative work skills
Sum is greater than parts
Develop social skills
Strengthen inter-group relations
Groupthink
Polling problem
Cohesion problems

15. Group Composition
Random Teams
Interest Groups
Heterogeneous

16. PIES Principles Positive Interdependence Individual Accountability
Equal Participation
Simultaneous Interaction

17. Three Types of Group Interaction
Cooperation
Competition
Individualistic

18. Individualism vs. Cooperation
Informal or no cooperation
Each person finds their own mineral
Each person gets their own map
Software supported collaboration
Work as a team to find minerals
Work on the map collaboratively

19. Group Creation

20. Main Interface

21. Adding Members

22. Synchronous Communication

23. Asynchronous Communication (1)‏

24. Asynchronous Communication (2)‏

25. Group Goals

26. Cooperative Map

27. Instructor Web Interface (1)‏

28. Instructor Web Interface (2)‏

29. Client - Java

30. Server - LambdaMOO

31. Experiment Fall 2006 Required assignment for 401 students
224 solo players, 177 group players in groups of two
Similar goal set
Assessment
Content Questions
Completion Rates
Scenario Data
Miscellaneous Results

32. Results – Content Questions

33. Results – Completion Rates

34. Results – Scenarios

35. Results – Miscellaneous
“I liked the opportunity to become more familiar with certain minerals”
“i disliked everything about this game”
Unintended side effects: Competition between members

36. Future Directions Implement in other IVEs
Compare group/solo learning styles
Communication studies
Enhancements
Voice & Video 3D

37. Conclusion
Formal collaboration added to Geology Explorer including group formation, communication, and goals.
Experimentally tested
Can we implement collaborative exercises on the Geology Explorer in such a way that it increases learning gains?
Yes!