Bartolomé Rubia-Avi

Studying participation networks in collaboration using mixed methods

This paper describes the application of a mixed-evaluation method, published elsewhere, to three different learning scenarios. The method defines how to combine social network analysis with qualitative and quantitative analysis in order to study participatory aspects of learning in CSCL contexts. The three case studies include a course-long, blended learning experience evaluated as the course develops; a course-long, distance learning experience evaluated at the end of the course; and a synchronous experience of a few hours duration. These scenarios show that the analysis techniques and data collection and processing tools are flexible enough to be applied in different conditions. In particular, SAMSA, a tool that processes interaction data to allow social network analysis, is useful with different types of interactions (indirect asynchronous or direct synchronous interactions) and different data representations. Furthermore, the predefined types of social networks and indexes selected are shown to be appropriate for measuring structural aspects of interaction in these CSCL scenarios. These elements are usable and their results comprehensible by education practitioners. Finally, the experiments show that the mixed-evaluation method and its computational tools allow researchers to efficiently achieve a deeper and more reliable evaluation through complementarity and the triangulation of different data sources. The three experiments described show the particular benefits of each of the data sources and analysis techniques.

Multiple case studies to enhance project-based learning in a computer architecture course

The IEEE/Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) Computing Curricula and the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET) Evaluation Criteria 2000 emphasize the use of recurrent concepts and system design/evaluation through projects and case studies in the curriculum of Computer and Electrical Engineering. In addition, efficient teamwork, autonomy, and initiative are commonly required qualifications for a professional in this field. Project-based learning approaches that require the students to handle realistic case studies are adequate to pursue these objectives. However, these pedagogical approaches tend to be rejected because they promote deep learning but focus on a restricted set of concepts, whereas many engineering curricula require a broad range of concepts to be covered in each course. The introduction of multiple case studies carried out simultaneously in the same course by different teams of students can broaden the set of concepts studied, but collaboration at different levels must be strongly enforced to achieve effective learning. This paper describes a multiple-case-study project design that has been applied to a computer architecture course for four years. After systematically evaluating the experience, the authors conclude that students achieve a deep learning of the concepts required in their own case study, while they are able to generalize their knowledge to case studies of different characteristics from those considered during the course. Furthermore, a number of collaborative skills and attitudes are developed as a consequence of the proposed environment based on multiple levels of collaboration.

Detecting and Solving Negative Situations in Real CSCL Experiences with a Role-Based Interaction Analysis Approach

Collaborative learning has a number of potential benefits, which do not always occur, partially due to the difficulties that students and teachers have to establish good social interaction patterns. These interaction patterns depend on the roles assumed by participants in the learning process. In real practice, teachers need support to be able to detect these emergent roles and undesired interaction patterns, especially if collaboration is mediated by computers, and thus is not directly observable by humans. Interaction analysis (IA) methods and tools are adequate to support the regulation of the collaborative activities, using the analysis results to provide adequate feedback to the different participants in their specific roles. We have proposed a role-based approach supported by a tool called Role-AdaptIA to detect and help to solve problematic situations in authentic computer supported collaborative learning (CSCL) scenarios. Role-AdaptIA is an adaptive interaction analysis tool based on a theoretical framework for the description of roles. The framework permits to define and characterize the roles to take into account in a given situation. Based on this information, Role-AdaptIA automatically detects role changes during the development of the collaborative experiences and warns the teacher about these changes. With this advice, the teacher is able to regulate the collaboration, providing support to the students to improve their interaction patterns. This chapter presents four examples of how Role-AdaptIA was used by teachers in order to regulate collaboration, detecting and solving undesired collaborative situations in several University courses where we have applied CSCL methods during the last years.

Linking Collaborative Learning Practice with IMS LD and Service-Oriented Technologies: an Approach Based on Collaborative Learning Flow Patterns

This paper proposes Collaborative Learning Flow Patterns (CLFPs), which represent best practices in collaborative learning structuring, as a central element of a kind of bi-directional linkage that facilitates that teachers can play the role of designers influencing in the behavior of CSCL (Computer- Supported Collaborative Learning) technological solutions. Additionally, this paper describes a technological approach for achieving such a scenario. That approach is based on the Collage authoring tool that provides CLFPs as IMS LD templates and the Gridcole system, capable of interpreting the resulting CLFP-based LDs and integrating the service-oriented tools needed to support the (collaborative) learning activities as prescribed in those LDs.

Bouncing between the Dark and Bright Sides: Can Technology Help Qualitative Research?

The authors carried out a 4-year qualitative analysis of a case study in higher education. An undergraduate course based on the principles of computer supported collaborative learning (CSCL) was designed, implemented, and evaluated. The process was developed by a community of practice, formed by quite a number of researchers coming from the information and communication technology and education fields. All of them belong to the Intelligent & Cooperative Systems Research Group—Education, Media, Informatics and Culture transdisciplinary group. The case provided many “tasty” partial results that were used to develop and improve three ad hoc supporting tools: Quest, Samsa, and Iloca. In this article, the authors offer a set of reflections about how the aforementioned tools were fed by the ethnographical analysis carried out, helping to overcome problems of flexibility and contextualization that are typical of the generic supporting tools generally used in the evaluation of higher education innovations.

Influential factors for managing virtual groups in massive and variable scale courses

Integration of collaborative learning in MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) is an open research challenge. However, team formation and subsequent management are complex tasks that depend on multiple factors, both pedagogical and technological. To fulfill these tasks, it would be helpful to provide teachers with supporting tools. This paper analyzes the factors influencing the formation of teams in MOOCs that can be taken into consideration in the design of this type of supporting tools. The paper presents a proposed classification and illustrates their need and utility by a scenario.

A ORIENTAÇÃO NO AMBIENTE NATURAL: APRENDIZAGEM UBÍQUA ATRAVÉS DO USO DE TECNOLOGIA

New studies on Physical Education are appearing, showing that technology can enhance the educational process. This article describes a technology-supported learning process on orienteering as a physical activity in the natural environment. By using a case study with 65 university students and one teacher, the research allowed us to analyze how ubiquitous learning, through the use of technological tools (Augmented Reality, geolocation, etc.) supported learning of orienteering in the natural environment. Among other findings, ubiquitous learning stimulated the learning process in different physical and virtual spaces, better acquisition of orienteering contents, digital competence, and learning at different times. Apart from these potentialities, some difficulties also emerged during the process, such as concerns about the dangers of technology overshadowing students’ connections with the natural environment, lack of internet coverage, and others.