Student interactions and the development of ideas in multi-touch and paper-based collaborative mathematical problem solving

Mercier, E.; Vourloumi, G.; Higgins, S.

Abstract

Multi-touch technology is increasingly being used to support collaborative learning activities. However, to know how this technology can be used most effectively, we need to understand if collaborative interactions differ when groups are using multi-touch technology compared with other tools. In this paper, we compare the interactions of groups of 10 to 11-year-old students working collaboratively to solve three math problems in either a multi-touch or paper condition. The number of ideas raised, who proposed them and whether they were responded to, were coded to identify differences in idea development and interactions across conditions. Responses by students to ideas proposed by other students were coded. Results indicate that similar numbers of ideas were raised across conditions; student responses to ideas raised by other students were more likely to elaborate on the idea or combine it with other ideas in the multi-touch condition than in the paper condition. These results reinforce prior findings that show higher levels of collaborative engagement around ideas when using multi-touch than paper and extend our understanding of how this occurs.

Citation

Mercier, E., Vourloumi, G., & Higgins, S. (2017). Student interactions and the development of ideas in multi-touch and paper-based collaborative mathematical problem solving. British Journal of Educational Technology, 48(1), 162-175. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.12351

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 1, 2015
• Online Publication Date: Sep 1, 2015
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2017
• Deposit Date: Aug 7, 2015
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 1, 2017
• Journal: British Journal of Educational Technology
• Print ISSN: 0007-1013
• Electronic ISSN: 1467-8535
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 48
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 162-175
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.12351
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1404323