Collaboration is a shared endeavour with a common purpose for the group as a whole. It places the emphasis on social learning as opposed to cooperative learning, which emphasises individual learning in a group context. In both cooperative and collaborative learning the goal is a common output for the group (Laurillard, 2012).
Learning technologies can be used to provide variety in the final product or output of the collaborative activity. In addition they can be used to support and capture the learning process that occurs through the collaborative effort. The table is based on that produced by Stahl, Koschmannand Suthers, 2006 (as referenced in Laurillard, 2012: 196).
| REQUIREMENTS | WHAT TEL OFFERS | TOOLS |
|---|---|---|
| Resources relevant to the student task. For example, identifying supplementary resources that students can use for support. | Access to resources that can be used directly or provided as alternative presentations. | • Open Education Resources • Locate |
| Discussion of the task. For example, providing an online space where students can exchange ideas and capture discussions on their task. | Asynchronous and synchronous discussion environments, forums and chat; provides a record of discussions. | • Forums i.e. Aula Feed • BigBlue Button • Teams • Social media tools |
| Guidance during the process. For example, an online space that can be used for feedback. | Support information, peer and tutor feedback. | • Forums • Feedback into e-portfolios, blogs, wikis etc |
| Means to construct and revise representations of the task. For example, workspace for students to capture the development of their task. | Alternative means to provide visual representations and updates on progress. | • Blogs • Wikis • E-portfolios |
| Sharing of product. For example, means for groups to disseminate their outputs for assessment and sharing more widely. | File management and exchange environment. | • Wikis • E-portfolios • Digital storytelling • Padlet |
Example 1
Example 2
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