Search

Collaborative Problem-Solving Skills (CPS) have become increasingly important. Research into the development of CPS is still scarce, but there are several approaches that may be useful for its development. Specifically, providing feedback in collaborative contexts is key. In this paper, we study and develop a feedback system that uses Automated Planning techniques to promote communication among students. Our system is designed to be used in a real-world educational setting, considering the underpinning theory of when and how to give feedback. The system's frontend is a video game, which presents tasks that can only be solved when students collaborate. In the backend, the system computes the solution to the task in a partial-order plan using an automated planning engine. While it monitors the plan and provides feedback to students. We describe an experimental study involving 42 students aged between 10 and 13, in which we explore the effectiveness of the feedback that was given. We show that the feedback allowed the students to perform better in the game, improve their communication, and develop their collaborative problem-solving skills. We also describe a novel approach to monitoring multi-agent partial-order plans, specifically designed for plans with so-called independent chains, that is more efficient than previous approaches and therefore requires fewer computational resources in the classroom. This paper contributes to the literature in two ways. First, we propose a novel monitoring algorithm for partial-order plans that is better suited to educational settings. Second, we show that feedback extracted from a plan can promote reflection about collaborative problem-solving during a multi-agent activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper develops a method for the construction and evaluation of cognitive models to support students in their problem-solving skills during robotics in school, aiming to build a basis for an implementation of a tutoring system in the future. Two Wizard-of-Oz studies were conducted, one in the classroom and one in the lab. Based on the cognitive model, the human wizards gave support to 20 students working in pairs. The studies were video recorded and a qualitative analysis was conducted. This qualitative research approach is described in detail. The evaluation of the studies showed that students reacted mostly positively to the wizards. We also uncovered ways in which students' problem-solving skills could be improved. Based on the evaluation and observations of the Wizard-of-Oz studies, the paper proposes a design for a future robotics skills tutoring system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper argues that development of students' evaluative judgement capability, which encapsulates a range of cognitive and social skills, should be considered as a primary objective of the collaborative problem-solving assessment practices in engineering. This is a response to call for preparing job-ready students. To meet the multiple demands of complex, agile and innovative projects in the world of work, engineering graduates need to draw on their own decision-making ability and make informed judgements in various collaborative problem-solving situations. However, a review of literature shows that there is a lack of a robust model on which assessment designers can rely as a guidance to develop collaborative problem-solving assessment activities that might progressively contribute to the development of this much-needed capability. By conceptualising the concept of evaluative judgement and identifying the elements of collaborative problem-solving that can foster it, the paper concludes by proposing a stage-based model for designing and implementing assessment activities at the individual course level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the fundamental purposes of educational research is to provide evidence to facilitate effective practice. However, the evidence itself does not have much value for practitioners unless key information about the context from which the evidence was generated is also provided. In this paper, we use the word ‘context’ to refer to factors that are relevant for learning, including the interactions that learners experience with multiple people, artefacts, and environments. Unfortunately, in many educational research studies, either these factors do not get the required attention or information about them is presented in an incoherent structure. The resultant lack of information leads to two significant drawbacks. First, it creates confusion among practitioners who want to apply research evidence in their practice. Second, it leads to research studies that on the face of it are similar, but that in reality have resulted from evidence that has been collected in significantly different contexts being included under the same categories in reviews, meta-reviews, and best-evidence syntheses. In this paper, we draw on the concept of ‘relatability’ of evidence and present taxonomy for collaborative problem-solving (CPS) that can be used to provide the valuable information against which research evidence can be indexed. By addressing the need for more detailed information about the contextual factors from which the evidence is generated to bridge the gap between research and practice in CPS research, we aim to exemplify the approach that is needed in educational research more generally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper critically appraises four problem-solving approaches, based on a range of theoretical perspectives and procedures, which are currently used in educational settings to support adults to find solutions to complex problems that arise within classrooms and the wider school community. The four approaches are: Circles of Adults; Teacher Coaching; Collaborative Problem-solving Groups; the Staff Sharing Scheme. The principle aim of all of these interventions is to enable school staff to generate solutions to problems so that children and young people who are causing concern are perceived in ways which lead to more constructive actions and outcomes. A second aim is to build the capacity of those working in schools by developing their skills and self confidence as problem-solvers and decision-makers; the assumption being that they will be more able to solve similar problems in the future largely on their own, without the need for extensive external support. The paper then considers the relative strengths and limitations of each approach in relation to practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Childhood & Philosophy is the property of International Council for Philosophical Inquiry with Children and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper presents the results of a micro-genetic analysis of the development of a creative solution arrived at by students working collaboratively to solve a robotics problem in a sixth-grade science classroom. Results indicate that four aspects of the enacted curriculum proved important to developing the creative solution, including the following: an open-ended, goal-oriented task; teacher modeling of inquiry techniques; provision of tools and an environment that allowed students to move between dual modes of interaction (seriousness and play); and provision of tools and an environment that allowed students to jointly develop a shared understanding achieved through tool-mediated, communicative, and cognitive interaction. The findings suggest that play is an important mode of inquiry if creativity is the learning goal. Implications of this research for the design of learning spaces as well as directions for future collaborative creativity research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes and critically evaluates a collaborative dispute resolution activity conducted in a mid-degree law subject at an Australian university. Australian law degrees are required to be vocational. Teaching problem-solving to law students is an effective way to impart key professional skills. However, it requires planning and preparation. It is therefore important to reflect on whether the aims of the activity have been achieved. In particular, three ideas about what constitutes good teaching are explored. The first is that good teachers do not simply deliver content – they give their students problems to solve. The second is the expectation employers have that law graduates will readily collaborate with their colleagues. Finally, giving students an opportunity to reflect on what they have learned will enable students to transfer what they have understood and articulated to legal practice. By delineating each of these three teaching aims, it is possible to assess the value and effectiveness of the problem-solving activity. This paper also reflects on the positive impact that is achieved when authentic and ethical legal processes are embedded into student-centred learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is the second of two articles in this special issue that were developed following discussions of the Assessment Working Group at EDUsummIT 2013. The article extends the analysis of assessments of collaborative problem solving (CPS) to examine the significance of the data concerning this complex assessment problem and then for educational assessment more broadly. The article discusses four measurement challenges of data science or 'big data' in educational assessments that are enabled by technology: 1. Dealing with change over time via time-based data. 2. How a digital performance space's relationships interact with learner actions, communications and products. 3. How layers of interpretation are formed from translations of atomistic data into meaningful larger units suitable for making inferences about what someone knows and can do. 4. How to represent the dynamics of interactions between and among learners who are being assessed by their interactions with each other as well as with digital resources and agents in digital performance spaces. Because of the movement from paper-based tests to online learning, and in order to make progress on these challenges, the authors call for the restructuring of training of the next generation of researchers and psychometricians to specialize in data science in technology enabled assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Creativity and collaboration are increasingly recognised as 21st century skills that schools should foster in learners. To understand how groups, organisations and communities innovate over time, these competencies need to be more effectively cultivated and assessed in individuals and groups. Assessing these competencies, however, has proven challenging, especially in K-12 learning contexts. In the field of CSCL, where the pedagogical premise is that knowledge and competencies are fostered through social interactions and dialogic negotiations, contemporary research has pointed to the affordances of a dialogue-based approach to assessing various learning processes and outcomes. While numerous dialogic frameworks now exist for assessing students' collaborative knowledge building and problem-solving skills, few frameworks connect these assessments to creative competencies. In this paper we propose a dialogic framework for theorising, measuring and fostering students' collective creativity in the context of computer-based collaborative problemsolving formative assessment tasks. We conceptualise collective creativity as encompassing a suite of metacognitive, cognitive and socio-communicative competencies, manifest in the interactions of student teams in their problem-solving process. We present the components of our framework and its operationalization through a content-analytic coding scheme. We then apply the proposed framework to a subset of students' dialogic interactions generated on a computer-based collaborative problem-solving formative assessment task in order to investigate the framework's potential affordances and to assess issues of reliability and validity. Results indicate favourable inter-coder reliability, and identify statistically significant differences in the dialogic features and patterns of successful and unsuccessful collaborative problem-solving student dyads. We conclude by discussing the limitations and the applicability of the framework as an effective way of profiling and scaffolding learning in online collaborative and creative problem-solving contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meetings are the activity at the centre of every organisation; they are critical. But there is a problem: most people hate them. How can we solve this so-called "paradox of meetings"? How can we avoid death by meeting? By reviewing meeting theories which help to better understand meetings, we have found support for the view that bad meetings today are primarily the consequence of unsuitable knowledge sharing and collaboration. Based on this and by applying our new understanding of collaboration as New Collaboration, we propose to look at meetings by focusing on collaborative problemsolving and to perceive collaboration in such problem-solving meetings as New Collaboration. But how do we have to interact in order to implement New Collaboration in meetings? This is where our Pyramid of New Collaboration comes in as a detailed description of the collaboration process. Our paper will first review related literature dealing with leadership, meeting theories, knowledge sharing and collaboration. Then, we will explain in detail our concept of collaboration, the process of collaboration and the Pyramid of New Collaboration with its seven layers. Finally, we will discuss the application of the Pyramid to the solution of the paradox of meetings and propose the concept of a New Collaboration Meeting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding how individuals collaborate with others is a complex undertaking, because collaborative problem-solving (CPS) is an interactive and dynamic process. We attempt to identify distinct collaborative problem-solver profiles of Chinese 15-year-old students on a computer-based CPS task using process data from the 2015 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA, N = 1,677), and further to examine how these profiles may relate to student demographics (i.e., gender, socioeconomic status) and motivational characteristics (i.e., achieving motivation, attitudes toward collaboration), as well as CPS performance. The process indicators we used include time-on-task, actions-on-task, and three specific CPS process skills (i.e., establish and maintain shared understanding, take appropriate action to solve the problem, establish and maintain team organization). The results of latent profile analysis indicate four collaborative problem-solver profiles: Disengaged, Struggling, Adaptive, and Excellent. Gender, socioeconomic status, attitudes toward collaboration and CPS performance are shown to be significantly associated with profile membership, yet achieving motivation was not a significant predictor. These findings may contribute to better understanding of the way students interact with computer-based CPS tasks and inform educators of individualized and adaptive instructions to support student collaborative problem-solving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Students continue to struggle with learning to program. Not only has there been a significant drop in the number of students enrolling in IT courses, but the attrition rate for these courses continues to be significant. Introductory programming subjects in IT courses seem to be a stumbling block for many students. How do we best engage students in the learning of a programming language? How can our current teaching and learning methods be improved to provide a better experience for them? Issues that have a detrimental effect on students' learning outcomes include more than simply the cognitive. Although programming really is complex and difficult to learn, there are also cultural and social influences on students presenting to introductory computer science courses. This paper highlights the advantages of intensive collaboration between students by exploiting the students' own ability and desire to interact with their peers. Peer interaction can lead to very strong learning experiences. This paper reflects on the current approaches to teaching programming by the Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Australia, with a short summary of the current focus of QUT's first programming subject and the methods used to teach it. An overview is then given of the web-based Environment for Learning to Program (ELP) which provides scaffolding for students while learning to program. The authors propose the introduction of tools to present a collaborative environment for students to actively engage in the course material through interaction with each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Poetic structures are conversational repetitions of syntax and words. • Recency and comment length help identify mathematical poetic structures. • Multimodal poetic structures facilitate many collaborative mathematical insights. • Poetic analysis bridges discourse analysis with mathematical reasoning. This paper outlines a new method of mathematical discourse analysis focused on identifying poetic structures in students' mathematical conversations. Following the linguistic anthropology tradition inspired by Roman Jakobson, poetic structures refer to any conversational repetition of sounds, words or syntax; this repetition draws attention to the form of the message. In mathematical conversations, poetic structures can express patterns, rhythms, similarities or dissimilarities associated with a task. Methodological dilemmas associated with identifying and representing poetic structures and pragmatic responses are highlighted. An analysis of a nine minute algebraic problem-solving conversation revealed eight types of mathematical poetic structures that collectively assisted all of the students' vital mathematical insights. The paper aims to demonstrate that poetic analysis of mathematical conversations can bridge the illusory distinction between mathematical discourse and mathematical reasoning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Educational robotics (ER) has emerged as a novel educational tool that enables students to improve their thinking skills. The study aims to compare the effect of a structured versus an unstructured ER curriculum on students' group metacognition during collaborative problem-solving with ER. The authors' hypothesis is that an unstructured ER curriculum might be more beneficial in supporting young learners' group metacognition in programming contexts. This study follows a quasi-experimental design with students (n = 35) split into two comparison groups – a structured ER curriculum group and an unstructured one. The results show that students in the structured curriculum group demonstrated higher levels of group metacognition and better collaboration. Furthermore, using a micro-ecological approach, the study reveals that individual metacognitive contributions from students in the unstructured curriculum group had a systemic impact on the group work progress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the female people-smartness (FPS) hypothesis, which addresses the reasons why females are more responsive to socioeconomic status (SES) and posits that using females’ strengths of people-smartness can assist females to overcome SES constraints. This study used data from the student surveys of the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) in 2015, including 519,334 students from 72 participating countries and economies. The results of the general linear model analysis revealed that females are better at collaborative problem-solving (CPS) and reading, while males are better at mathematics and science. Structural equation modeling revealed that the effect of SES on (mathematics and science) achievement is higher for females than for males. CPS can reduce the effect of SES on achievement. The findings generally support the FPS hypothesis and suggest that CPS-related competences should be emphasized and exercised to transcend SES constraints, especially for females in STEM curricula, studies and careers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reflects critically on simulations. Building on the authors’ experience simulating the Palestinian-Israeli-American Camp David negotiations of 2000, they argue that simulations are useful pedagogical tools that encourage creative—but not critical—thinking and constructivist learning. However, they can also have the deleterious effect of reproducing unequal power relations in the classroom. The authors develop this argument in five stages:They distinguish between problem solving and critical theory and define critical thinking—something not done by the simulation orthodoxy.They describe the Camp David simulation. This is their contribution to the relatively small corpus of literature on simulating Palestinian-Israeli relations.They review the constructivist learning and peer teaching accomplished through their simulation. This section is notable because it is authored by a graduate student who participated in the simulation as a meaning maker.They review the manner in which simulations promote creative, not critical, thinking, and reproduce asymmetrical power relations.They reflect on the overall utility of simulating the Camp David negotiations in the classroom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This case study is designed to support the preparation of school administrators and teacher leaders enrolled in courses pertaining to school improvement, instructional leadership, and educational change. The principal of an urban middle school has been charged by the district superintendent to study a downward trend in math state achievement test scores. The case involves a middle school principal and how he might choose to work with his faculty to analyze the issue and develop an appropriate professional learning plan to improve instructional practice. This case scaffolds leader preparation candidates in (a) collaboratively identifying a problem underlying declining state achievement test scores and (b) developing a professional learning plan to support school improvement efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

University-community engagement (UCE) tends to be unequal, yielding greater benefits to the university. This creates mistrust, particularly between the university and African American neighborhoods. We propose a model of authentic UCE that builds reciprocity and trust between members of the community and university and increases their capacity to collaboratively problem solve. Through experiential learning, participants confront implicit biases, and develop empathy and stamina to confront systemic racism. Through five training workshops and action circles, participants developed strategies for using their learning to address real-life issues. Lessons learned from this model might be instructive for other universities seeking more authentic UCE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether implementation of a collaborative problem-solving approach would be associated with a decrease in seclusion and restraint in a child and adolescent inpatient unit.Method: A collaborative problem-solving (CPS) approach was implemented. Seclusion and restraint, length of treatment, clinician- and patient/parent-rated outcomes and staff utility and acceptability were surveyed pre and post implementation.Results: The number of restrictive events significantly decreased, including full restraint, partial restraint and seclusion. Length of treatment and routine clinician-rated outcome measures remained consistent. Patient or parent-rated outcomes showed greater reduction post implementation. Despite some initial scepticism, the staff found this approach useful.Conclusions: A CPS approach was successfully implemented, and in this naturalistic study was associated with a significant decrease in seclusions and restraints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This exploratory case study focuses on how pairs of students can build a shared understanding and acquire collaborative problem-solving (CPS) practices during an online assessment of CPS skills, which is seen in the context of the CPS construct, in a symmetrical and asymmetrical task type. Even though CPS is widely recognised as a core twenty-first-century competency, its nature is not yet well understood. Also, until recently, most of studies have focused on the individual’s solution to a problem or on the skills individuals bring into a problem-solving space. This study extends from an individual- to group-level focus in CPS, emphasising the role and quality of the social aspects in CPS processes and outcomes. Focusing on the group level because it mediates multiple levels of learning, including individual cognition and socio-cultural practices, may provide us with a better understanding of how pairs establish CPS practices. Because of the complexity of CPS and the general challenges of remote collaboration in an online context, the study relies on the triangulation of multiple data sources and phases of analysis. In this paper, the aim is to explore and visualise through contrasting case-based portraits of two pairs how micro-interaction processes evolve at the pair level. The results show that despite students’ similar CPS performance outcome scores and task designs aimed to facilitate collaboration, variations in micro-interactions occur across pairs, for example as individual and joint solution endeavours and as balanced and unbalanced dynamics of group interactions. Studying these patterns at the pair level may provide new insights into CPS and support strategies for acquiring these practices.

The global ecological crisis is an indispensable issue that needs to be solved. The importance of developing critical thinking and communication skills in teaching-learning methods will help to enhance education performance; as well, the students would become informed participants in environmental decision-making. Lebanon is suffering from multiple ecological problems due to the environmental mismanagement, particularly energy problems. For this reason, training the Lebanese students mainly in architecture schools should to think critically about environmental issues, and using collaborative problem-solving as one of teaching-learning methods and techniques, which will be directly reflected in finding solutions to the problem under investigation. The researcher aims to experiment and apply this method in a history of architecture class at faculty of architecture, to improve the environmental quality of health and wellbeing in historical built environment. This will increase the awareness for conservation aspects of architectural heritage in students, on the one hand. In addition to spread the spirit of teamwork, to facilitate the concept of integrated design process between the different disciplines when practicing professional life, on the other hand. Therefore, the study aims to produce a new methodology for integrating teaching-learning method in architecture, presenting various international attempts of thermal retrofit in historical built environment, guiding the architectural students to follow the same approach of such projects, which will save energy in a country that has a major problem in electricity. The case study is based on a real problem in a realistic situation in Tripoli old Souks at north Lebanon, in which the instructor and the students will analyze and propose some solutions of building thermal retrofit within this historical context, using collaborative problem-solving strategy that could clarifying its reversal extent on the validity of health and wellbeing with the continuity of conserving the architectural heritage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to determine what collaborative interventions produce positive effects for students working on collaborative robotics projects for science process skills, collaborative problem-solving, and learning motivation. In addition, the study examined the impact students’ prior robotics experience had on science process skills, collaborative problem-solving, and learning motivation. The results indicated experience level and collaboration interventions can have impacts on students. Assigned Group Roles had positive effects on students’ motivation and collaborative problem-solving. Experience level also had effects upon student learning motivation and collaborative problem-solving with the Novice status associated with higher levels as compared with students who had more experience. A collaboration intervention was identified that has the potential to produce positive effects for students in collaborative robotics projects as well as assist classroom educators in the purposeful design of collaborative robotics projects with scientifically based strategies to improve the attitudinal outcomes for students of various robotics experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Collaborative approaches are being promoted as inclusive forums for bringing state and non-state interests together to solve complex environmental problems. Networks have been recognized through previous research as important ways to involve stakeholders in such forums with members participating in knowledge creation and sharing as part of deliberative processes. Less well understood is the effectiveness of network creation and promotion by external actors, especially in relation to knowledge creation and sharing. A case study approach was used to evaluate the efforts of a farm organization to organize a provincially-cohesive network of locally-elected agricultural representatives in Ontario, Canada. Network structure and function were evaluated using a combination of participant observation and Social Network Analysis as part of a mixed methods research approach. The results indicate that stakeholder network development can be actively supported, and that knowledge creation and sharing in these networks occurs within a complex structure of local and provincial-scale relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Collaborative problem solving (CPS) can support online learning by enabling interactions for social and cognitive processes. Teachers may not have sufficient knowledge to support such interactions, so support needs to be designed into learning modules for this purpose. This study investigates to what extent an online module for teaching nutrition in secondary school science, using a wiki for CPS, enables interactions, and social and cognitive processes. The module was implemented with 31 volunteer participants. Data collected from the online communications was analyzed for the types of interactions and processes based on the Community of Inquiry Framework. This was triangulated using transcripts of interviews with students. In addition, pretests and posttests were conducted to determine whether the learning outcomes were achieved. Analysis of the online communications showed that the interactions were mainly between learner and content (64.4%), with a large portion of cognitive processes (69.3%) but little social (4.0%), attitudes (9.9%), teaching processes (12.9%) and noise (5.9%). The findings suggest that the module could be used to improve outcomes of learning and encourage interactions for cognitive processes and online presences. The findings may provide insights in encouraging CPS for learning science online. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the ability of students in a pre-service teacher education course to deploy pattern language (or professional lexicon) related to specific inclusive teaching strategies. The study sought to determine whether there were differential effects of two approaches to learning, one based on a field-based placement (Applied Experience) and the other employing an embedded course design approach (Embedded Design). The results indicate that pattern language frequency and sophistication increased significantly over time. Results also indicate that pre-service teachers’ use and sophistication of pattern language differed according to the structure of the university learning approach employed. The findings are discussed within the context of Embedded Design theory and the role of Applied Experience in pre-service inclusive education, as well as within the context of building more rigorous teacher preparation programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study offers a systematic analysis of uncertainty in communication education by examining communication goals and challenges in the context of collaborative creative problem-solving in engineering assignments. Engineering design projects are seen as having the potential to help K-12 students learn to deal with uncertainty as well as a means through which to learn science and math. Educational researchers have emphasized the cognitive or very general social aspects of this context. The current investigation argues that collaborative, creative design work involves a distinctive constellation of communication challenges: ongoing efforts to temporarily suspend normal inclinations to understand well, to appraise what we understand, and to do so in relation to instrumental, identity, and relational meanings. This argument guides textual analyses of transcripts of fifth-graders assigned to groups tasked with designing and building an environmentally beneficial robot. Implications for communication education are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]