Knowledge Construction and Collaborative Discourse While Problem Solving With a Virtual-Reality Astronomy Platform

• In Event: AERA Poster Session 6
  In Poster Session: Connecting Learning Systems Through Technology (San Diego)

Abstract

This work documents the creation and application of a coding scheme for collaborative interactions across group members as they engage in an astronomy task at the introductory undergraduate level. Prototype software was developed to present night sky visualizations both via a tablet interface and a virtual reality headset with shared annotations. Two small-group sessions were analyzed for collaborative interactions, group management, and shared software views. Code analysis found that task complexity influenced the diversity of collaboration, while users who switched between technology platforms showed notable shifts in interaction with their group members. Additionally, when group members were sharing the same simulation view, collaboration focused on the acquisition of new knowledge and was often followed by bursts of productive discourse.

Authors

• James P Planey, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• Taehyun Kim, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

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

• Robb Lindgren, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign