Assessing the effectiveness of online collaborative learning on students’ knowledge construction in higher education
Abstract
Online collaborative learning is characterized by a number of elements: high level of negotiation,
common goal and interaction. Effective online learning in a group, is a useful way of helping
learners acquire skills and enhance learning skills such as self-reflection, critical thinking, and co-construction
of knowledge. However, executing online collaborative learning are not always
constructive and learners facing of challenges during interaction. To resolve this, it is essential to
discover and understand the elements that contribute to knowledge construction in a CSCL
environment. In this paper, we conducted research on first-year students of different disciplines
at the university (Jkuat-Karen Campus) in Kenya. A census strategy from the selected group was
drawn and questionnaire administered for data collection. Qualitative data was collected from the
Moodle Learning management system platform at the end of the semester. The content theme was
guided by a coding scheme developed by Harasim 2012.
Based on the results, the predictor variables Educational technology, instructional design, students'
characteristics and discourse strategies contributed to knowledge construction on online learners.
The research further analyzed qualitative data using quantitative content analysis to establish the
presence of collaboration and the level of knowledge construction. The level of knowledge
construction was higher at idea organization compared to idea generation.
Research findings are useful to the Higher Learning institutions offering online courses, as well as
provide favorable standards and guidance for effective collaborative learning for the 21st century
learning skills. The framework could also be used by instructional online designers and developers.
Citation
Degree of Master of Science in Information Technology ManagementPublisher
University of Nairobi
Subject
Online learning collaborationeffective e-collaboration
Students’ knowledge construction
effective online interaction