Issues in the Computer-based Assessment of Collaborative Problem Solving

Abstract

A~STRACT Collaborative problem solving skills are considered necessary skills for success in today's world of work and school. Collaborative learning refers to learning environments in which small groups of people work together to achieve a common goal, and problem solving is using cognitive processing to jind a solution to a problem. Thus, collaborative problem solving is defined as problem solving activities that involve interactions among a group of individuals. This paper will address several key issues (e.g. theory and measurement of collaborative problem solving and issues in measuring problem solving processes). We rely on computerisation of the administration, scoring and reporting of collaborative problem solving skills, thus potentially increasing reliability and validity.

Factors influencing perceived usefulness of wikis for group collaborative learning by first year students

“…The teaching of teamwork and collaborative learning is also one of the Seven principles for good practice in undergraduate education (Chickering & Gamson, 1987) and has become part of the graduate attributes of most universities, with many curriculums and class instructions now incorporating teamwork and collaborative learning in their course designs (O'Neil, Chuang & Chung, 2003).…”

“…According to Lund andSmordal (2006) andO'Neil, Chuang andChung (2003), enhanced group learning outcomes are achieved with technologies where tasks are designed so they cannot be readily subdivided and group collaboration is genuinely required. Such task design also encourages students to participate and to take responsibility, ownership, and control of their own learning processes (Eales, et al, 2002;Jones & Issroff, 2005).…”

“…Such task design also encourages students to participate and to take responsibility, ownership, and control of their own learning processes (Eales, et al, 2002;Jones & Issroff, 2005). One way to achieve this goal is to assign a specific role to each group member in order to meet group assignment requirements (O'Neil, et al, 2003). De Pedro et al (2006) suggest the role of "Editor in chief" for group assignments in order to ensure periodic work upon restructuring and synthesising of the collective information.…”

Kollaboratív problémamegoldó képesség: egy új, integratív elméleti keret

“…A nemzetközi szakirodalom meglehetősen következetlenül használja a csoportos, kooperatív és kollaboratív munka, tanulás, illetve problémamegoldás kifejezéseket ugyanazon jelensé-gek aposztrofálására (O'Neil, Chuang és Chung, 2003), akár kooperatív problémameg-oldásként is fordíthatnánk tehát a 'collaborative problem solving' szóösszetételt. Emellett a választás mellett szól az az érv is, hogy hazánkban a 'kollaboratív' szó történelmünk-ből adódóan rendelkezik egyfajta negatív jelentéstöbblettel, ezért sokszor tudatosan a kooperatív szóval helyettesítjük (Hunya, 2005).…”

Delivering on the e-learning promise: A case for a learning environment that enables collaborative online problem solving (COPS)

“…Therefore, to meet their personal goals, group members must both help their group mates to do whatever helps the group to succeed, and, perhaps even more importantly, to encourage their group mates to exert maximum efforts (Slavin, 1995a;1995b). Collaborative problem solving comprises a set of skills that are considered necessary for success in today's world (O'Neil, Chuang, & Chung, 2003). Importantly, the development of such skills requires a learning/teaching approach that combines both problem-centred learning and collaborative or cooperative learning (Nelson, 1999).…”