Computer Supported Cooperative Working/Learning Overview

sgi_cube.gif Computer Supported Cooperative Working/Learning Overview

In primary schools (where arguably computers are sparse), children are often observed working at the computer in either pairs or small groups and without the direct involvement of a teacher. This may not be solely due to economic and pragmatic reasons, but to pedagogical beliefs that the introduction of computers into schools has provided children with an excellent environment in which they can learn to work together in groups. It is an opportunity for children to genuinely collaborate rather than merely work along side one another. In some classes, children also act as tutors, helping less competent peers learn some relatively straightforward skill (Tudge, 1990).

Grief, who essentially coined the phrase CSCW, suggests there is more to co-operating than communicating (Bair, 1989). He notes that the term was coined as a shorthand way of referring to a set of concerns about supporting multiple individuals working together with computer systems. It represents the joining of computer and social science to develop technology that can help people to work co-operatively, representing a change in focus from individual productivity towards workgroup productivity (Bair, 1989). Pea (1994) extends this definition by including empirical examination of the design of tools that contribute to the achievement of collective activity. The boundaries of this field of work are difficult to circumscribe and a core definition does not exist. Therefore, one could suggest CSCW could cover anything to do with computer support for activities in which more than one person is involved.

There are 4 levels of human communication (Bair 1989):

  1. Informing (no acquaintance): Information is communicated anonymously through the mass media or local resources such as bulletin boards or newsletters.
  2. Co-ordinating (some acquaintance): Not necessary to have common work goals, although common interests and organisational affiliation are likely resources.
  3. Collaborating (working relationship): Participation in the same process, such as preparing a memo, processing a form or developing software.
  4. Co-operating (goals are common): Sublimation of individual goals in favour of the team’s goals.
CSCW products are referred to as 'groupware' - an IT system that support ‘groups’ and is focused on solving the technical problems of providing multi-user facilities for any application program and can be viewed as an extension of the user interface to cater for multiple users, just as state-of-the-art software is now ‘user friendly’.

[ contents | CSCL home page | references ]