Collaborative problem solving with objects: Physical aspects of a tangible tabletop in technology-based assessment

Abstract

This chapter analyses how the physical objects and space of a tangible user interface supports groups of participants to collaboratively solve a problem. Our aim is to understand which characteristics of the physical space support the participants in thinking collaboratively. We describe a user study with a tangible tabletop for technology-based assessment. We identify a series of patterns extracted from a video analysis using the Collaborative Learning Mechanism framework. In our discussion, we elaborate the characteristics of the TUI that support interactions based on the observed patterns: The physical interaction objects, the shareability of the space, and the non-responsive spaces. © Springer-Verlag London 2012.