Computer Supported Cooperative Working/Learning

Teachers are moving away from the traditional, teacher-centred approach to instructional towards more collaborative approaches such as co-operative learning. CSCL is "often used for computer support of collaborative learning, the more focused study of the use of collaboration technology in instruction" (Koschmann T D, 1994). Pea (1994) believes CSCL to be truer to experience as learning can often be competitive or coercive in nature. It could be viewed as working with others towards a common goal (Barfurth 1995). However, terminology varies considerably to capture realistically the interactions among active learners.

Achievements of the group as a whole are not usually found in education, however, much problem-solving outside the classroom is undertaken in groups. It is perhaps a reflection of the strong individualistic ethos in our own society that many researchers predominately address the individual learning outcomes of the group members. Therefore, researchers mainly concentrate on assessing learning outcomes of children who work alone at the computer rather than those who work together in small groups.