The Relationship between Group Awareness and Participation in a Computer-Supported Collaborative Environment

Abstract

The objective of this research is to analyze the relation between Group Awareness (GA) and participation from the introduction of a visualization tool that permits to evaluate different dimensions of the proper interaction of a collaborative process that is carried out in Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) environments. The study considers that Group Awareness can contribute considerably to the processes of interaction in CSCL environments. Along this research line there are increasing numbers of reports that consider GA as a crucial factor for the success of collaboration, since it allows the activities and intentions of other members that collaborate in a virtual learning environment to be perceived and understood. In the present study we analyze group awareness with a quasi-experimental methodology, in which a group of participants have a computer tool that allows them to declare group awareness. Half of the students had an extended version of a tool that permitted them to evaluate and visualize assigned results in pairs, while the other half could evaluate but not visualize the assessments of other group members. The results show that there is better group awareness in groups with greater participation. Nevertheless, the use of a GA tool would not have a direct impact on students' participation. The results point out the GA can be considered as a product of participation, and not exactly a by-product of a GAW tool. © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2014.