Supporting Collaborative Self-Study: An Exploration of Internal and External Critical Friendships

ABSTRACT

This article outlines how a cyclic process of reflection and action was strengthened by the role of an external critical friend in a collaborative self-study. As three teacher education practitioners, two of us participated in the collaborative self-study, acting as internal critical friends to each other, while the third added an external layer of criticality. We both coached the university football team through one playing season: planning, coaching and reflecting collaboratively. Examination of the collaborative self-study identified two essential elements that supported our learning. The collaborative self-study was supported by a cyclic process of reflection, planning and action, and this foundational layer with review and deliberation to support the critical reflection contributed to learning and practices, both as coaches and as teacher education practitioners. A second layer of collaboration, in conjunction with an external critical friend, added to the depth of critique. While the role of critical friend is not new to self-study, analysis of data from both layers of critical friendships is useful in exploiting the structures and methods used throughout the study to contribute to individual and collaborative learning. This article presents the intricate details of the modus operandi – the repetitive cycle of action and reflection at the foundational layer, and the additional review and deliberation with an external critical friend in the second layer.     

Wikis: what students do and do not do when writing collaboratively

We investigated the collaborative writing actions carried out by 60 Open University of Israel graduate students as they built a wiki glossary of key course concepts. These actions were analysed using a taxonomy of collaborative writing actions (i.e. adding, editing and deleting information) in order to find out what students do and what they do not do when writing collaboratively. Two main findings were reported: in accord with previous research, students most frequently add content to a wiki rather than delete existing text; and contrary to previous research, students modify existing texts to a greater extent than previously reported. These findings may help teachers design collaborative learning activities. Teachers should be aware of the difficulties faced by students when writing collaboratively and should design collaborative learning activities in ways that overcome or circumvent these difficulties.     

E-learning中基于Web的概念图协同创作系统研究

概念图是学生协作知识建构的一种有效支持工具,然而在Web环境下概念图的协同创作系统的研究却并不多见。鉴于此,文章通过对协作学习中概念图的理论研究,分析了概念图协作创建过程中学习者的认知过程,设计了基于概念图的协作知识建构的理论模型,设计了概念图协作创作系统的功能模型和动态模型,介绍了基于Flex和FMS技术的系统实现方案,讨论了系统功能和实现过程。文章的研究成果能丰富协作知识建构的理论研究,推进概念图在网络协作学习实践中的应用。     

“以赛促学”模式优化设计——基于协同学习理论场域视角

以赛促学是提高教学质量和培养人才的有效途径。为优化技能类课程教学模式,从协同学习理论的场域视角出发,分析传统竞赛模式中影响促学效率的多维要素。结合场域理论进行系统分析,参考支持协同学习的教学过程模型,从认知、动作、情感层次方面对以赛促学模式进行系统优化设计。以《现代教育技术》课程为例开展“以赛促学”。实证分析表明,该模式强化了深层知识构建,有利于全面提升师生素养,提高学习效率。     

The classroom group work for collaborative learning

This paper addresses the issues in the field of collaborative learning,and put its stress on the classroom group work for collaborative learning.The way to deal with group work and teacher's role in the process will also be discussed.     

The Efficacy of Collaborative Learning Groups in an Undergraduate Statistics Course

Abstract. Assessment of the efficacy of collaborative learning group techniques is frequently subjectively based and often relies on casual comments from students or faculty. Despite this shortcoming, instructors searching for new and effective ways of teaching quantitative courses continue to experiment with collaborative pedagogy. This study examined the relationship between student performance on collaborative learning group assignments and students' examination scores in statistics. The results both challenge and support the efficacy of collaborative learning groups and suggest that faculty modify such techniques when evidence of student achievement cannot be empirically linked to the collaborative experience.     

Teaching collaborative skills with a group leader computer tutor

This paper discusses how a group leader computer tutor may aid students in learning collaborative skills in a co-operative learning environment. However, students need to learn collaborative skills and practice using them. The group leader computer tutor discussed in this paper is designed on the principles of co-operative learning, intelligent tutoring systems and computer-supported collaborative work within an intelligent collaborative learning system (ICLS). The group leader aims to facilitate group work on the task level and to teach students how to use collaborative skills in the discussion level as students work on networked computers in the Jigsaw method of co-operative learning. The ICLS and its group leader were used by two classes at a liberal arts university. Qualitative research shows that the students' co-operative attitudes changed and academic achievement improved from pre- to post-treatment. Students, especially, used the communication skill of openness in comment type discussions. The students enjoyed working collaboratively through the ICLS and their teachers thought that the experience was valuable for them.     

Peer Learning and Assessment

Various forms of peer, collaborative or cooperative learning, particularly small group activities, are increasingly used within university courses to assist students meet a variety of learning outcomes. These include working collaboratively with others, taking responsibility for their own learning and deepening their understanding of specific course content. The potential benefits of peer learning have long been recognised and are especially relevant today. However, many existing assessment practices act to undermine the goals of peer learning and lead students to reject learning cooperatively. If assessment gives students the message that only individual achievement is valued, and that collaborative effort is akin to cheating, then the potential of peer learning will not be realised. Inappropriate assessment practices may also lead to unhelpful forms of competition within and between groups that prevent groups functioning effectively. This paper examines some of the main assessment issues in connection with peer learning and suggests ways in which the benefits of this approach can be maintained while still meeting the formal assessment requirements of the course. It discusses the use of group assessment, peer feedback and self‐assessment, assessment of participation and negotiated assessment and concludes with the identification of a number of issues which remain to be addressed.     

How Children Regulate their Own Collaborative Learning

In this article we analyze the dialogic learning of one pair of students in order to investigate how these students cope with a collaborative learning situation in the classroom. Our aim is to substantiate the claims that not only are young students (8 year olds) capable of solving mathematical problems collaboratively, but that they also take an active role in regulating their collaborative learning activities. More specifically, our claim is that children appear to apply constructs of “mathematical level raising”, “social interaction” and “division of time” to steer their own collaborative learning and that they are rather successful in balancing these three aspects. The analysis is exploratory, but this new perspective on collaborative learning is relevant theoretically and consequential for classroom practice.     

Learning about earthquakes: getting serious about authenticity in computer-supported learning

The discovery or re-construction of scientific explanations and understanding based on experience is a complex process, for which school learning often uses shortcuts. On the basis of the example of analyzing real seismic measurements, we propose a computer-facilitated collaborative learning scenario which meets many of the requirements for authentic learning, knowledge construction, and collaboration. The implementation of the learning environment called SeisModes is based on a general platform for supporting collaborative modeling activities. SeisModes provides a tool to allow students collaboratively learn about earthquakes and thus reduce the fears they might have concerning them. First formal evaluations showed the approach motivates students.     

协作学习理论在《播音发声》教学中的应用

在《播音发声》教学过程中,从课程内部而言,技巧训练可以通过课上和课外的协作学习来实现,强化学习效果,使学生掌握播音发声技巧;从课程外部而言,通过与其他平行课程之间的渗透与调控,可以很好地运用协作学习理论;学生在各种实践平台上进行协作学习,对提高学生专业技能有积极的作用。     

CILT2000: Community Tools

Community tools are technologies designed to foster social processes of learning through active inquiry, project-based learning, and related collaborative pedagogical approaches. Current research and development in this field are moving from generic tool design towards the development of sociotechnical systems that address learning in relation to specific domains of knowledge or activity and social issues such as equitable access to learning opportunities.     

Project-based learning in Geotechnics: cooperative versus collaborative teamwork

Since 2007/2008 project-based learning models have been used to deliver two fundamental courses on Geotechnics in University of Aveiro, Portugal. These models have evolved and have encompassed either cooperative or collaborative teamwork. Using data collected in five editions of each course (Soil Mechanics I and Soil Mechanics II), the different characteristics of the models using cooperative or collaborative teamwork are pointed out and analysed, namely in terms of the students’ perceptions. The data collected include informal feedback from students, monitoring of their marks and academic performance, and answers to two sets of questionnaires: developed for these courses, and institutional. The data indicate students have good opinion of the project-based learning model, though collaborative teamwork is the best rated. The overall efficacy of the models was analysed (sum of their effectiveness, efficiency and attractiveness). The collaborative model was found more adequate.     

文学史课程合作式学习初探——以浙江万里学院教改实践为例

文章以《中国现当代文学》教改实践为例谈文学史课程教学改革的实践与思考,主要从三方面展开论述。第一,分析了提高学生自主学习能力和分工合作、协调能力是文学史课程改革的现实促动力;第二,总结了小组合作自主完成学习任务的方式以及多种教学形式的引入等合作式学习方案设计;第三,提出了重视教师指导监控作用、改变学生评价方式等合作式学习教改需要注意的几个问题。     

Fostering Students’ Collaborative Learning Competencies and Professional Conduct in the Context of Two Gross Anatomy Courses in Veterinary Medicine

Collaborative learning has been used in anatomy courses to support students’ learning of challenging topics but the success of group work depends significantly on the students’ ability to communicate in a professional manner. Veterinary students’ experiences with tasks related to collaborative learning and professional conduct were studied by comparing learning collaborative competences and pedagogy, as well as perceived positive and challenging aspects, in two gross anatomy courses. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected from students’ experiences of course assignments and collaboration, as well as from self-evaluated collaboration competence development. Trying things out oneself, practical application and professional conduct were positively highlighted particularly in the first-year course (myology and arthrology) group work and learning from others more in the second year (topographical anatomy). Various group work challenges, often relating to practical matters or communication, were the key concerns for students. The main difference between the two courses in learning of collaborative knowledge work competencies appeared to relate to the nature of the group work assignment. The topography course included the element of collaboration in preparing a presentation and teaching session for the rest of the class. Interestingly, students on the myology and arthrology course gave more positive comments on professional conduct than the students on the topography course despite the fact that the latter course included more practical elements relating to their future profession.     

Integration of collaborative learning in Grade K-5 EFL classrooms

This study investigated the effectiveness of integrating collaborative learning in Turkish elementary (primary) classrooms where English is acquired as a foreign language. Specifically, it aimed at shedding light on how the participating students and teachers perceive such language classes, what are the effects of integrating this particular method in the classroom and how does working collaboratively influence students’ level of proficiency. A sample of 23 Turkish students (Grade 5, age 10–12) and 2 English teachers participated in the case study. Data were collected through a triangulated approach, in which pre- and post-tests, diaries and observations were administered to the two groups of participants. The findings revealed that collaborative learning has positive influence both on teaching and learning English in fifth-grade classrooms.     

Jogging the Jargon

Abstract

The results of a two-year study indicate that collaborative testing is a valuable pedagogical strategy that can both assess and enhance student learning. After finishing their first attempt at each exam, students were given a second attempt either working collaboratively in small groups or individually with open books and notes. Collaborative testing consistently produced significantly higher test scores. In addition, students' retention of course content is shown to be improved when collaborative testing is used. Concerns about grade inflation are alleviated through the use of proportionally weighted grading.     

解读Web2.0对大学生校际协作学习的启示

Web2.0正吸引更多人走进数字化、网络化的生存方式和学习方式,并导致人们共同参与、共同创造、共同分享的全民织网时代的到来。Web2.0的互联理念和应用模式与大学生校际协作学习具有内在联系。基于此,文章从校际协作理念、协作学习活动、资源共建共享、协作学习平台四个方面进行了深入的反思,这对校际协作学习环境与学习活动设计具有重要启示。     

Interactive learning environments and games

Undergraduate psychometrics classes often use computer-intensive active learning projects. However, little research has examined active learning or computer-intensive projects in psychometrics courses. We describe two computer-intensive collaborative learning projects used to teach the design and evaluation of psychological tests. Course evaluations were significantly above the department average, and students perceived the projects as effective in meeting course objectives and improving computer skills. Grades on these projects were unrelated to self-reported computer background, suggesting that all students can succeed at computer-intensive projects when instructors provide adequate support and create a collaborative learning environment.     

基于协同创新理念的高职公共英语教改研究——以广州番禺职业技术学院为例

基于协同创新理念,公共英语教师与艺术设计专业教师、行业兼职教师合作,把公共英语课程与设计专业英语课程融合,进行英语课程组合上的创新,开发设计师英语课程。利用基础英语（English for General Purposes,EGP）与行业英语（English for Occupational Purposes,EOP）的有机融合教学,培养学生设计行业英语应用能力和沟通能力,满足艺术设计专业群学生的英语学习需要。