Collaborative Problem Solving in Engineering Courses: Does Technology Influence Quality of Interactions?

• In Event: 64.029 - Collaborative and Interactive Processes With Learning Technologies

Abstract

The emergence of reliable touch screens created new opportunities for collaborative learning with technology. While there has been research indicating that large multi-touch screens are useful for groups, they remain expensive, with limited available software. Tablets, provide much smaller screens, limiting collaborations, but are more widely available. We conducted a within-subjects comparison of groups using a large multi-touch table and tablets with software that synchronized screens within groups. Video data was collected from 12 groups in each of two weeks from four engineering classes. Interactions were coded; MANOVA results indicate that there were significantly more elaborative interactions in the multi-touch table condition; there were no significant effects of task. This indicates that there are collaboration advantages to large displays.

Authors

• Emma M. Mercier, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• Susan Bromley Kelly, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• Saadeddine S. Shehab, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• Jiyoon Jung, Valdosta State University