Online Collaboration Learning: A Way to Enhance Students' Achievement at Kingdom of Bahrain

The increasing recognition of the need for education to be closely aligned with team playing, project based learning and problem solving approaches has increase the interest in collaborative learning among university and college instructors. Using online collaboration learning in learning can enhance the outcome and achievement of students as well as improve their communication, critical thinking and personnel skills. The current research aims at examining the effect of OCL on the student's achievement at Kingdom of Bahrain. Numbers of objectives were set to achieve the aim of the research include: investigating the current situation regarding the collaborative learning and OCL at the Kingdom of Bahrain by identifying the advantages and effectiveness of OCL as a learning tool over traditional learning, examining the factors that affect OCL as well as examining the impact of OCL on the student's achievement. To achieve these objectives, quantitative method was adopted. Two hundred and thirty one questionnaires were distributed to students in different local and private universities at Kingdom of Bahrain. The findings of the research show that most of the students prefer to use FTFCL in learning and that OCL is already adopted in some universities especially in University of Bahrain. Moreover, the most factors affecting the adopted OCL are perceived readiness, and guidance and support.





References:
[1] Learning Domain. (2011). Module 3: Collaborative Learning. (Online):
Available at: http://www.learningdomain.com/Module_3.Collaborative.
pdf
[2] Smith, B.L., and MacGregor, J.T. (1992). "What is Collaborative
Learning?" In A.S. Goodsell, M.R. Maher, and V. Tinto (eds.),
Collaborative Learning: A Sourcebook for Higher Education. University
Park, Pa.: National Center on Postsecondary Teaching, Learning, and
Assessment.
[3] Lai, E., (2011). Collaboration: A Literature Review. (Online) Available
at: http://www.pearsonassessments.com/hai/images/tmrs/Collaboration-
Review.pdf
[4] Brodahl, C., Hadjerrouit, S., and Hansen, N. (2011).'Collaborative
Writing with Web 2.0 Technologies: Education Students- Perceptions
Education'. Journal of Information Technology Education: Innovations
in Practice, 10.
[5] Lehtinen, E., Hakkarainen, K., Lipponen, L., Rahikainen, M., and
Muukkonen, H. (1999). Computer-supported collaborative learning: A
review of research and development (The J.H.G.I Giesbers Reports on
Education, 10). Netherlands: University of Nijmegen, Department of
Educational Sciences.
[6] Hsiao, H., Chuang, C., Huang, T., and Wu, C. (2010). Web-based
Collaborative learning in secondary education: Teachers- reflection.
International Journal of Cyber Society and Education, 3(1), 15-36.
[7] Francescato, D., Porcelli, R., Mebane, M., Cuddetta, M., Klobas, J.E.
and Renzi, P. (2006), ÔÇÿEvaluation of the efficacy of collaborative
learning in face-to-face and computer-supported university contexts-,
Computers in Human Behaviour, 22(2), 163-176.
[8] Smith, Barbara Leigh, John McCann (Editors) (2001). Reinventing
Ourselves: Interdisciplinary Education, Collaborative Learning, and
Experimentation in Higher Education. Jossey-Bass.
[9] Helic, D. (2006). ÔÇÿTechnology-supported management of collaborative
learning processes-, International Journal of Learning and Change, 1(3),
285-298.
[10] Koo, A. C. (2008). ÔÇÿFactors affecting teachers- perceived readiness for
online collaborative learning: A case study in Malaysia-. Educational
Technology & Society, 11(1), 266-278.
[11] An, H., Kim, S., and Kim, B. (2008). ÔÇÿTeacher perspectives on online
collaborative learning: Factors perceived as facilitating and impeding
successful online group work-. Contemporary Issues in Technology and
Teacher Education, 8(1), 65-83
[12] Goren-Bar; D., Koubek, A. (2001) (Edts.) User Processes in
Collaborative Learning. Unpublished research study, funded by EC
research contract Nr. IST-17722. Graz.
[13] Gerlach, J. M. (1994). ÔÇÿIs this collaboration?- In Bosworth, K. and
Hamilton, S. J. (Eds.), Collaborative Learning: Underlying Processes
and Effective Techniques, New Directions for Teaching and Learning
No. 59.
[14] FH JOANNEUM. (2003). Module 2: Supporting collaborative learning
groups. (Online) Available at: http://multitrain.fhjoanneum.
at/courses/mod2/download/theory_download.pdf
[15] Chen, H. (1999). ÔÇÿA comparison between cooperative learning and
traditional, whole-class method-teaching English in a junior college-.
Academic Journal of Kang-Ning, 3, 69-82.
[16] Unalan, H.T. (2008), ÔÇÿThe effectiveness of collaborative learning
applications in art education-. The Journal of International Social
Research, 1(5), 870-879.
[17] Gundlach, M. (2011). The Effect of Collaborative Learning on Students'
Interest. (Online) Available at: http://www.brighthub.com/education/k-
12/articles/83768.aspx
[18] Curtis, D., and Lawson, M. (2001). ÔÇÿExploring collaborative online
learning-. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 5(1), 21-34.
[19] Williams, S.M. (2009). The Impact of Collaborative, Scaffolded
Learning in K-12 Schools: A Meta-Analysis The Metiri Group.
[20] Kirkpatrick, D., (2001). ÔÇÿPromoting Online Collaboration-. Proceedings
of Online Educa-Berlin, Berlin, November, pp. 120-24.
[21] Brodahl, C., Hadjerrouit, S., and Hansen, N. K. (2011). ÔÇÿCollaborative
Writing with Web 2.0 Technologies: Education Students- Perceptions-.
Journal of Information Technology Education: Innovations in Practice,
10, 74-105
[22] Ben-Zvi, D. (2007). ÔÇÿUsing wiki to promote collaborative learning in
statistics education-. Technology Innovations in Statistics Education,
1(1), 1-18.
[23] Roberts, T. S., and McInnerney, J. M. (2007). ‘Seven Problems of
Online Group Learning (and Their Solutions)’. Educational Technology
and Society, 10(4), 257-268.
[24] Lipponen, L. (2002). Exploring foundations for computer-supported
collaborative learning. In G. Stahl (Ed.), Computer Support for
Collaborative Learning: Foundations for a CSCL community.
Proceedings of the Computer-supported Collaborative Learning 2002
Conference (pp. 72-81). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.
[25] Mann, S. (2008). The problems of online collaboration for junior high
school students: Can the Learning Activity Management System
(LAMS) benefit students to learn via online learning? In L. Cameron
and J. Dalziel (Eds), Proceedings of the 3rd International LAMS and
Learning Design Conference 2008: Perspectives on Learning Design.
(p.p. 81-86). 5th December 2008, Sydney: LAMS Foundation.
[26] Swan, K. (2001). ‘Virtual interactivity: design factors affecting student
satisfaction and perceived learning in asynchronous online courses’.
Distance Education, 22(2), 306-331.
[27] Rodriguez, J. L., Plax, T. G. & Kearney, P. (1996). ‘Clarifying the
relationship between teacher nonverbal immediacy and student cognitive
learning: affective learning as the central causal mediator’.
Communication Education, 45, 293-305.
[28] Lorraine. (2011). Collaborative Learning: Orientation Lecture. (Online)
Available at:
http://sydney.edu.au/stuserv/documents/learning_centre/collablearning.
pdf
[29] Helic, D., Maurer, H., and Scerbakov, N. (2004). ‘Knowledge Transfer
Processes in a Modern WBT System’. Journal of Network and Computer
Applications, 27(3), 163 190.
[30] Hung, M. L., Chou, C., Chen, C.-H., and Own, Z.-Y. (2010). ‘Learner
readiness for online learning: Scale development and student
perceptions’. Computers and Education, 55(3), 1080–1090.
[31] Xiong, Y., and So, H. J. (2010). ‘Assessing students’ readiness for
CSCL’. In Doctoral Student Consortium Proceedings of the 18th
International Conference on Computers in Education (ICCE) 2010 (pp.
5-8). Serdang, Selangor: Faculty of Educational Studies, Universiti Putra
Malaysia.
[32] Vonderwell, S., and Savery, J. (2004). ‘Online Learning: Student Role
and Readiness’. The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology,
3(3), Article 5.
[33] Zamiri, M., and Baqutayan, S. (2012). ‘Intention to Share Knowledge in
Computer: A Factor Analysis’. International Journal of Applied Science
and Technology, 2(2), 85-88.
[34] Porcaro, D. (2011). ‘Reviewing the literature of computer-supported
collaborative learning (CSCL) to determine its usefulness in Omani
education development’, International Journal of Education and
Development using Information and Communication Technology
(IJEDICT), 7(3,) 102-120.
[35] Lipponen, L. (1999). ‘Challenges for computer supported collaborative
learning in elementary and secondary level: Finnish perspective’. In C.
Hoadley & J. Roschelle (Eds.), Proceedings of the CSCL '99: The Third
International Conference on Computer Support for Collaborative
Learning (pp. 368-375). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.
[36] Honey, M., Brunner, C. Fasca, C., Heinze, C. Light, D., Mandinach, C.
(2005), ‘Linking Data and Learning - The Grow Network Study’.
Journal of Education for Students Placed at Riskm 10(3), 241-267
[37] Chiong, R., and Jovanovic, J. (2012). ‘Collaborative Learning in Online
Study Groups: An Evolutionary Game Theory Perspective’. Journal of
Information Technology Education, 11.
[38] Park, Yum and Bonk, Curtis (2007),’Synchronous learning experiences
distance and residential learners' perspectives in blended graduate
course’, Journal of Interactive Online learning, 6(3).
[39] Gabriel, M. (2004). ‘Learning together: Exploring group interactions
online’. Journal of Distance Education, 19(1), 54-72.
[40] RW3 (2005), The challenges of working in virtual teams, Virtual teams
survey report 2010, RW3 Culture Wizard, RW-3.COM, New York
[41] Bonk, C. J., and Dennen, V. (2003). Frameworks for research, design,
benchmarks, training, and pedagogy in Web-based distance education.
In M. G. Moore & B. Anderson (Eds.), Handbook of distance education
(pp. 331-348). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
[42] Soller, A. (2001). ‘Supporting Social Interaction in an Intelligent
Collaborative Learning System’. International Journal of Artificial
Intelligence in Education, 12(1), 40-62.
[43] Janssen, J., Erkens, G., and Kirschner, P.A. (2010). ‘Effects of
representational guidance during computer-supported collaborative
learning’. Instructional Science, 38, 59-88.
[44] Burak, F., Esin, S., & Husamettin, A. (2007). Comparison of computer
assisted cooperative, competitive and individualistic learning: an
example of Turkey. (Online) Available at: http://www.congresintaref.org
/actes_pdf/AREF2007_Husamettin_AKCAY_062.pdf
[45] Nichols, Joe and Hall, Nett (1995), “The effect of cooperative learning
on student achievement and motivation in high school Geometry Class”,
paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational
Research Association, San Francisco, CA, April, 18th – 22nd
[46] Hair, J.F, Anderson, R.F, Tathan, R.L and Black, W.C (1998),
Multivariate data analysis with reading, Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs,
NJ.
[47] Fransen, J., Kirschner, P. A., & Erkens, G. (2011). ‘Mediating team
effectiveness in the context of collaborative learning: The importance of
team and task awareness’. Computers in Human Behavior, 27, 1103-
1113.