The good (CSCL), the bad (SNS), and… argumentive knowledge co-construction: Collaborative Learning in SNS.

Abstract

Collaboration in Facebook: Dimitra Tsovaltzi will present a series of studies on argumentative learning in Facebook that attempt to extend CSLC principles to learning in Social Media. Awareness tools depict group information and aim at leveraging socio-motivational aspects of Social Media. Argumentation scripts offer cognitive support and aim at fostering quality argumentation. Together, they can be attuned to provide a subtle but effective support in Facebook over longer stretches of time. However, the effects of such standard CSCL instructions do not always carry over to Social Media, where social aspects like trust and self-presentation become prominent. Collaboration in Gaming Communities: Yasmin Kafai will present analyses of participation in a tween virtual world combining big data approaches (i.e., cluster analyses of large player groups) with thick data approaches (i.e., ethnographies of individual players and practices). This type of rich data analysis illustrates how we can study learning across online and offline contexts and examine what each approach can contribute to our understanding of learning. Panel: Susan Yoon (Theories), Heisawn Jeong (Methods), Peter Reimann (Support)