Module 3 Blog: Technology as a Collaboration Tool
Technology as a Collaborative Tool
The question of whether humans have an instinct to work cooperatively is a complex one. Natural selection would seem to favor people who are selfish and look out for themselves. However, historically humans are social animals, forming groups and collaborating. In the past, people lived together in tribal units to help each other find food and shelter. Today, people band together to form unions, religious organizations, and homeowner associations, in order to collaborate and achieve more than if they had worked alone. In order to for groups to collaborate successfully, the members must have a common goal and see the benefits of setting aside the instinct to be selfish (Akbarpour et. al., 2008). This is what Reingold (2008) described in his prisoners’ dilemma scenario. According to Reingold, human beings have a natural desire to work together as a group. Akbarpour et. al. (2008) determined that an individual with fewer neighbors tends to exhibit more cooperative behavior than an individual with more neighbors. This seems to be because in the former situation, the payoff is greater. If individuals see a benefit to working collaboratively, they will tend to do so.
Throughout history, technologies have been invented that have helped people to communicate more effectively with one another. Each technology, such as the printing press or computer, has helped people communicate and work together collectively. With the Internet, people can communicate with one another almost instantly. Location is no longer a consideration for people to collaborate together toward a common goal. Reingold (2008) used Wikipedia as an example of an encyclopedia that is collectively developed using the Internet.
According to Driscoll (2005), constructivists agree on several points.
“(1)Only the active learner is a successful learner.
(2) Learning from examples and learning by doing enable learners to achieve deep levels of understanding.
(3) Learning with understanding is what is desired, not rote learning.
(4) The social structure of the learning environment is important” (p. 407)
Learners construct knowledge through their own experiences. Technology can be used to manipulate data or simulate an experience that allows the learner to manipulate objects or ideas virtually. The Internet also offers online collaboration methods, such as Wikipedia and blogs, as well as social websites, such as Facebook and Edmodo. Documents can be shared and edited in a collaborative fashion through applications such as Googledocs and dropbox.
Below is a video where Luis von Ahn discusses his CAPTCHA , which was invented as a way to verify that a website user is a real human being to control access. CAPTCHA stands for Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart. It has since become a large collaborative effort to teach computers to recognize difficult to read text.
There are numerous research studies that support collaboration as an effective tool for learning. Below are 11 studies that involve collaboration using technology.
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Citation |
Links |
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Chang, Y., Morales-Arroyo, M., Than, H., Tun, Z., & Wang, Z. (2010). Collaborative learning in wikis. Education For Information, 28(2-4), 291-303.
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Available in Walden library, AN 69736728 |
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Davidsen, J., & Georgsen, M. (2010). ICT as a tool for collaboration in the classroom – challenges and lessons learned. Designs For Learning, 3(1/2), 54-69. |
Available in Walden library, AN 57267458 |
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DeWitt, D., & Siraj, S. (2011). Learners’ perceptions of technology for design of a collaborative m-learning module. World Journal On Educational Technology, 3(1), 169-185. |
http://www.world-education-center.org/index.php/wjet/article/viewFile/172/pdf_29 |
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Elgort, I., Smith, A. G., & Toland, J. (2008). Is wiki an effective platform for group course work?. Australasian Journal Of Educational Technology, 24(2), 195-210. |
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Hamat, A., & Embi, M. (2010). Constructivism in the design of online learning tools. European Journal Of Educational Studies, 2(3), 237-246. |
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Hayrapetyan, L. R. (2010). Your team is in: A Collaborative assessment and learning tool. International Journal Of Education Research, 5(1), 83-91. |
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Kay, R. (2011). Exploring the Influence of Context on Attitudes toward Web-Based Learning Tools (WBLTs) and Learning Performance. Interdisciplinary Journal Of E-Learning & Learning Objects, 7125-142. |
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Masters, J., Madhyastha, T., & Shakouri, A. (2008). ExplaNet: A Collaborative Learning Tool and Hybrid Recommender System for Student-Authored Explanations. Journal Of Interactive Learning Research, 19(1), 51-74. |
Available in Walden library, AN 27730311 |
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Stewart, C., & Edwards, H. (2012). Online Collaboration: Using Roleplay to Develop Skills in Resolving Conflict. International Education Studies, 5(6), 1-10. doi:10.5539/ies.v5n6p1 |
Available in Walden library, AN 84388591 |
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Thomas, D. A., & Qing, L. (2008). From Web 2.0 to Teacher 2.0. Computers In The Schools, 25(3/4), 199-210. doi:10.1080/07380560802371037 |
http://people.ucalgary.ca/~qinli/publication/2008ThomasLi_Web2Teacher2.pdf |
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Zacharia, Z., Xenofontos, N., & Manoli, C. (2011). The effect of two different cooperative approaches on students’ learning and practices within the context of a WebQuest science investigation. Educational Technology Research & Development, 59(3), 399-424. doi:10.1007/s11423-010-9181-2 |
Blog Participation
castanosblogs.blogspot.com
loridodd.blogspot.com
martinedtech.blogspot.com
References
Akbarpour, M., Mahalati, R., & Lucas, C. (2008). How Social Network Structure Affects the Dynamics of Evolution of Cooperation?. Proceedings Of World Academy Of Science: Engineering & Technology, 45387-390.
Rheingold, H. (2008). Howard Rheingold on collaboration [Video file]. Retrieved from
http://www.ted.com/talks/howard_rheingold_on_collaboration.html
pnesrsta 
I agree with you when you wrote that if people see the benefit of collaborating, they tend to do so. I can see that in me. I do not like to work collaboratively but if it benefitted me I would. When I do work with others on a project, half the time I do learn from the partners and am happy I worked with someone. The other half of the time, I do not feel people contribute as much due to the fact that they feel they only need to put in half the work that they normally do and then they always point out what part they did to make sure everyone knows they did their part.
The concept of shared benefit is quite accurate. Where there is a common meaning task learners feel motivated and engaged to make it happen. The key is striking the right collaboration balance so that all contribute equally.
Patricia Nesrsta
Hi Patricia, I really enjoyed working with you on the team project. Your comment, “individuals see a benefit to working collaboratively, they will tend to do so”, sums up collaboration into one strong argument. It’s really a question of motivation rather then basic instinct. We are motivated by things that will benefit us. So if collaboration will help us in any way, then we will do it. Thanks, Monica