Critical components for successful collaborative learning in CS1

  • Authors:

  • Noel LeJeune

  • Affiliations:

  • Metropolitan State College of Denver

  • Venue:
  • Journal of Computing Sciences in Colleges
  • Year:
  • 2003

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Abstract

A Computer Science 1 course is an ideal environment in which to introduce collaborative learning exercises that help meet specific learning outcomes. However, collaborative learning requires more than merely "group work" where an assignment is given to a "team" of 3-5 students. Successful implementation must incorporate five critical components: common task, small-group interactions, collaborative behavior, positive interdependence, and individual and group accountability and responsibility. Many attempts at collaborative learning fail because the exercises are not explicitly designed to address the last three of these five critical components. Several detailed collaborative learning exercises are presented to demonstrate how each of the critical components can be addressed and successfully used in CS1.