Reflections on Group-Based Collaborative Instruction & Multimedia

Exploring Guided Design (GD), Cooperative Learning Environments (CLE), Problem-Based Learning (PBL), and Situated Learning & Cognitive Apprenticeship (SL&CA)

What are key similarities or striking differences between these four theories/models? Do the theories/models share any common foundations or principles?

GD, CLE, PBL and SL&CA are instructional approaches that share a common core, or founding principle--namely, that when properly guided by an instructor or facilitator, students will learn more effectively in groups than they will on their own.  While each of these approaches prescribes a distinct set of steps for implementation, they all begin with the premise that learning is a naturally-occurring phenomenon that can be deepened through the active participation and social interaction that takes place during a group's joint efforts to solve or address relevant, real-world challenges.

Some interesting similarities include: (a) the attention given to individual roles not only of the students in a group, but also of the instructors as facilitators or guides; (b) the emphasis on authentic contexts and problems to be tackled by students as a group; (c) many of the same advantages associated with these approaches, such as the development of lifelong communication and collaboration skills, greater recall of knowledge and use of higher order thinking, increased motivation and interest in subjects, and the centrality of student interactivity, and (d) the interdependence of students' academic outcomes (i.e., a student's grade will reflect the work of the group, not just the individual). 

Among the differences that one finds between these learning models are: (a) the ideal group size (e.g., GD is intended for groups of four to seven students, while CLE is best with slightly smaller groups of three to five students); (b) the order of educational events or steps, (c) the amount of cross-group interaction that occurs; (d) the degree of advanced preparation required of individual students, and (e) the ways in which the instructor serves as a facilitator. 


What are your initial reactions to these learning theories/models? What are barriers to their use? What benefits might be expected for those who overcome the barriers?

My initial reaction to these group-based learning theories is quite positive. Despite admitted barriers and some potential disadvantages associated with their use, collaborative instructional approaches strike me as an important component of a 21st century education.  Critical thinking and problem solving skills, as well as the ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with others (including people from diverse backgrounds and cultures) are all essential to function as productive member of our increasingly global society.  

Even if faculty and instructors may need training to use these approaches effectively in the classroom, be it a F:F or virtual learning environment, there are a plethora of strategies and resources available to assist (I particularly appreciated Haller et. al's (2000) list of principles and considerations.)

I was surprised to learn how vast the body of literature is that supports CLE as an effective instructional approach, and I was particularly struck by the positive relationship discussed by Johnson, Johnson, & Smith's (1998) point between CLE and student retention (as mediated by factors such as academic success, quality of relationships, and higher self-esteem). These points, coupled with the positive changes in attitude toward diverse group members, the course, and even the content, curriculum, and field of study are all substantial benefits. 


Would you attempt to use any of these theories/models with the students you are currently teaching or hope to teach in the future? Why or why not? Could elements of the theories/ models be modified so that they would work with your current/future students?

The sheer volume of credible, extant research pointing to their effectiveness (particularly CLE) is compelling. Johnson, et. al (1998) mention that "the research on cooperative learning has a validity and generalizability rarely found in the educational literature" (p. 35). Millis (2002) similarly says that "the research base supporting it is both long-standing and solid (p. 2).

The classes that I TA are distance learning courses, and I can also see PBL working well online, especially supported by the use of some of the tools available online (see list below) for internet-based collaboration.  


Since we're taking learning theories/models that were not necessarily created with the Web in mind and turning them into Web modules, what Web-based tools or resources could be leveraged to carry out these learning theories/models online?

A wide range of tools that students can employ for synchronous communication, information collection, content authoring, and project management are available on the web and enable students to meet and collaborate at a distance:

• Mendeley - Securely share your papers, notes and annotations. Updates in real time. When a group member adds a note, highlight or summary to a group document, the edit is visible to all the members of the group. 
• Diigo - Diigo can be used as a collaborative research tool and knowledge-sharing community. Students working together can create a group on Diigo to pool relevant resources and share their thoughts and notes.
• SpringPad - Start a notebook, post images, documents, and webpages, and comment on each other’s contributions (can also be used to track group member tasks)
• Google Drive (was Google Docs)
• Wikispaces - has a helpful getting started tutorial; gives you a visual editor and a bunch of other tools to make sharing and editing content easy
• PBWorks - shared workspace free option gives you 1 workspace for up to 100 users and 2GB storage (but has limited customization); track user changes/edits
• Etherpad - a hosted web service that allows real-time document collaboration for groups of users. (I would recommend installing it with PrimaryPad - Etherpad V1.1 created for use in education. It's largest provider of Etherpad installation services and offers 3 month trials of PrimaryPad Pro that are available to anyone.)
• Dropbox - file syncing service; free for basic account; looks like a regular file folder on your computer. When you add or change a file in the folder, the new version is automatically uploaded to your Dropbox online; access your files from anywhere through the website.
• Evernote (requires paid account, though)
• Skype - free account includes free 1:1 video conferencing and multiple person Skype to Skype phone conferencing; in addition to screen sharing, it also has instant messaging (can IM files too)
• AnyMeeting - Completely Free; up to 200 Attendees; Unlimited Meetings, Video Conferencing, Screen Sharing, Application Sharing, Recording, VoIP, Conference Calling, Public Profile, Social Media Integration, Text Chat, Polling, Invitations,No Required Downloads
• Google+ Hangouts - free video conferencing for up to 9 or 10 people; let's you share what’s on your screen and collaborate in Google Docs. If a team member can’t join the hangout, you can also dial the person in by clicking on the “Invite” button and then the “+telephone” link. Calls to the US are free. (source: http://www.google.com/+/learnmore/hangouts/)
• Blackboard Collaborate - free for NCSU students
• Cisco WebEx - has several plans. The basic package is free and allows for unlimited meetings with 3 people per meeting. Has a whiteboard and enables you to share your desktop and load documents (250 MB storage).
• Join.me - free and fast screen sharing tool
• Doodle - free; does not require registration; helps scheduling meetings and other appointment--simply set up a poll with a set of possible days/times, send a link to all attendees to respond online with their availability for each of the time slots
• When Is Good - a barebones but effective online app for planing the time to have your meeting by co-ordinating availability with all the participants
• Pinterest - Start a pinboard, pin images, webpages, other users' pins. (There is also Learnist...you can request an invite to their beta-release)
• Bubbl.us - free mind mapping/ graphic organization tool that allows users to collaboratively create and edit mind maps. Bubbl.us takes just seconds to figure out and you can try it before registering for an account.
• Cacoo - free collaborative diagram creation resource; allows you to chat with your collaborators in real-time while you work on your diagrams.
• Mind42 - free online mindmap collaboration tool.
• Mind Meister - Free account enables users to collaborate with others, share via email or embedding, and download or export files; ability to add active links to websites.
• KanbanFlow - a simple, easy-to-use internet-based task manager that uses the Kanban system developed by Toyota to help it manage its production process. Has a short, 2-min getting started tutorial for beginners. Has a mobile version of the site too.
• Google Groups - a Google product allowing you to create online and email groups; free of charge, but must be used with non-NCSU.edu gmail though in order to create a new group (access to this feature is restricted by NCSU)
• Toodledo - powerful, internet-based to-do list application; allows for easy collaboration easy to collaborate with other people. When you share your tasks, you have complete control over who has permission to read, edit and/or add items your to-do list.
• TeamSpace - international online groupware system for virtual teamwork; free version for students
• AgreeDo - helps you to create meeting agendas. Let all participants collaborate on the agenda before the meeting, so that everyone is prepared.