| Author(s): | Mäkitalo Kati1, Weinberger Armin1, Häkkinen Päivi2, Järvelä Sanna3, Fischer Frank4 |
| Laboratory: | 1: Institute of Educational Psychology — Ludwig Maximilians Universität München
2: Institute for Educational Research — University of Jyväskylä
3: Research Unit for Educational Technology — University of Oulu
4: Knowledge Media Research Center (KRMC) — Institut fur Wissensmedien
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| Appears in: | Computers in Human Behavior 21(4) (2005) 603-622 |
| Abstract: | Using online learning environments in higher education offers innovative possibilities to
support collaborative learning. However, online learning creates new kinds of problems for
participants who have not previously worked with each other. One of these problems is
uncertainty which occurs when participants do not know each other. According to the uncertainty reduction theory, low uncertainty level increases the amount of discourse and
decreases the amount of information seeking. Therefore, uncertainty may influence online
discourse and learning. This study investigates the effects of an epistemic cooperation script
with respect to the amount of discourse, information seeking and learning outcomes in
collaborative learning as compared to unscripted collaborative learning. The aim was also to explore how and what kind of information learners seek and receive and how learning partners react to such information exchange. The participants were 48 students who were randomly assigned to groups of three in two conditions, one with and one without an
epistemic script. The results indicate that the epistemic script increased the amount of discourse and decreased the amount of information seeking activities. Without an epistemic script, however, learners achieved better learning outcomes. The results of two qualitative case-based analyses on information seeking will also be discussed.
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| Language: | English |
| Keywords: | amount of discourse, collaborative learning, computer supported collaborative learning (CSCL), cooperation scripts, information seeking, online learning environments, uncertainty reduction theory |
| Comment: | This is a pre-print version of the journal article, published in Computers in Human Behavior, 2005, 21(4), copyright of Elsevier Ltd. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2004.10.033 |
| DOI: | doi:10.1016/j.chb.2004.10.033 |
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| Attached file: | Makitalo-Kati-2005.pdf (657.4 Kb) |
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| Added: | Friday, 13 July 2007 10:46:17 |