Premium
Applying an activity system to online collaborative group work analysis
Author(s) -
Choi Hyungshin,
Kang Myunghee
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
british journal of educational technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.79
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1467-8535
pISSN - 0007-1013
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-8535.2009.00978.x
Subject(s) - asynchronous communication , collaborative learning , group work , computer supported collaborative learning , computer science , work (physics) , computer mediated communication , unit (ring theory) , asynchronous learning , group (periodic table) , online discussion , psychology , cooperative learning , knowledge management , mathematics education , teaching method , world wide web , synchronous learning , the internet , engineering , mechanical engineering , computer network , chemistry , organic chemistry
This study determines whether an activity system provides a systematic framework to analyse collaborative group work. Using an activity system as a unit of analysis, the research examined learner behaviours, conflicting factors and facilitating factors while students engaged in collaborative work via asynchronous computer‐mediated communication. The online postings from the two highest and lowest performing groups of students during one semester were analysed, coded and reorganised. The coded postings of these four groups were then compared using an activity system to identify the difference in patterns of learner behaviours. The conflicting and facilitating factors that students encountered were identified as well. The findings provide implications for online collaborative learning environment design and mediating strategies. The study also addresses some of the challenges in using an activity system to analyse collaborative learning activities and provides suggestions for future research.