Effects of transformational and transactional leadership on cognitive effort and outcomes during collaborative learning within a virtual world

Abstract

Computer-supported collaborative learning is a common e-learning activity. Instructors have to create appropriate social and instructional interventions in order to promote effective learning. We performed a study that examined the effects of two popular leadership interventions, transformational and transactional, on cognitive effort and outcomes during collaborative learning within a virtual world. Our results indicate that while transformational leadership increases cognitive effort, transactional leadership reduces it. Cognitive effort, in turn, improves decision quality but it also lengthens the discussion and reduces discussion satisfaction. Transformational and transactional leadership also affect discussion satisfaction directly and positively. © 2013 British Educational Research Association.