COMPUTER SUPPORTED COLLABORATIVE LEARNING (CSCL): THE GROUP FORMATION PROCESS AS A KEY TO STRUCTURE INTERACTION

Computer Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) is a strong presence in online learning. Grounded on its social dimension, CSCL promotes different kinds of learning, related to cognitive development and to the acquisition of transversal competences. It is important to note that this kind of learning can only occur when group interaction is structured considering the learning dimension, the organizational elements which root an internal cohesion and the personal elements intervening in any group exchange. The group and its performance, particularly its interaction in the process, seem one of the keys to a successful experience. That’s why group formation in collaboration keeps continuous attention from scholars. It seems essential to determine group characteristics and define the group-building process. Part of this process has to incorporate the drafting of ‎‎group agreements.

The purpose of this study is to analyze the group formation process in collaboration, as part of the organization prior to task development. The research was carried out based on a non-experimental quantitative methodology consisting of a questionnaire answered by 106 undergraduate students from 5 different CSCL-based subjects. Results show the need to provide enough time for group creation as well as clear instructions. Students prefer groups composed of 3-4 members with distributed roles and prefer to form the groups by themselves. They also demand collaborative drafting of group agreements.