Comparative interaction patterns of groups in an open network environment: The role of facilitators in collaborative learning.

Background: Collaborative learning can effectively promote the development of higher‐order competencies, where learners collaborate via social interactions to explore and solve complex problems. It has been found that the effective occurrence of collaborative learning requires appropriate external guidance and support. In particular, collaborative interactions in open learning environments are more complex and difficult, which makes it important to provide dynamic interventions for learners according to different collaborative situations. However, the role of facilitators and the characteristics and mechanisms of their interventions have yet to be thoroughly investigated. Objectives: The study aims to uncover the characteristics and patterns of interaction among groups with different collaborative performance and facilitator performance in an open learning environment, and to explore the differentiated role of facilitators in this process. Method: Groups are categorised as high or low based on their collaborative performance and facilitator performance. This study used lag sequential analysis (LSA) and content analysis to explore the interaction patterns of groups with different collaborative performance and facilitator performance. Also, the different roles of facilitators were analysed by comparing the differences in interaction patterns of different collaborative performance groups. Results: The study found that groups with different collaborative performances and facilitator performances showed significant differences in interaction patterns, and the two had crossover effects. There is also variability in the role of facilitators in groups with different collaborative performance profiles. Patterns of transition between different layers of interaction can indicate the level of groups' collaborative engagement. Specific interaction patterns exist that are conducive to enhancing collaborative learning. Conclusions: The results of the study pointed out that groups with different collaborative performance and facilitator performance showed different characteristics of interaction patterns. The role of the facilitator in online collaborative learning is characterised by compensatory and merit‐promoting. High‐quality online collaboration is the result of multiple factors, including learners and facilitators working together. This study has practical implications for the design of instructional interventions for group collaboration in online learning communities. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: Deep instructional interactions help stimulate group intelligence and promote knowledge creation and deep connections.The facilitation strategies of the instructional implementer in online collaborative learning contexts play an important role in guiding students to engage in interactions and promoting efficient learning.Facilitators need to adopt different intervention strategies for different learners and learning stages to advance collaborative task completion. What this paper adds: Group collaborative performance is closely related to the strength of the connection and the depth of interaction of group members.Roles of facilitator in online collaborative learning can be characterised by strong support, compensation, and merit promotion.High‐quality online collaboration is the result of multifactor interaction between learners and facilitators. Implications for practice and/or policy: Course organisers' rating scale proposed in this study can help screen and train facilitators with excellent attributes.Examining different roles of facilitators can help curriculum designers rationalise the design and organisation of collaborative instruction.When group collaboration is active, learners should be guided through activities for deeper interaction and exploration.When group collaboration is low‐spirited, learners should be encouraged to focus on the stage tasks and explore the tasks step by step. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]