Skip to ContentSkip to Navigation

Computer-supported collaborative learning and gender

02 July 2009

PhD ceremony: mw. Ning Ding, 13.15 uur, Academiegebouw, Broerstraat 5, Groningen

Thesis: Computer-supported collaborative learning and gender

Promotor(s): prof. R.J. Bosker

Faculty: Behavioural and Social Sciences

Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) is a promising tool in science education and is increasingly applied in school practices. Yet, CSCL carries risk, particularly when gender is involved. There are some unknown questions. For example, whether female and male students differ in knowledge elaboration in the synchronous CSCL and whether this is related with their learning achievement. In order to gain an insight into the gender issue in CSCL, I have conducted a series of empirical studies since 2004.

It has been found that students in collaborative condition scored higher than did students in the individual condition, but there was a gender difference in collaborative learning. This was reflected in students’ learning achievement, communication styles, and representation ways as well. Three collaboration patterns have also been defined: divergent, parallel, and cross patterns. The research addressed a proportionally higher frequency of divergent patterns than cross or parallel patterns in the mixed-gender dyads than that in the female-female and male-male dyads. Moreover, the more divergent patterns, the lower scores females in the mixed-gender dyads achieved.

Taking the gender difference into account, the findings of these studies shed light on current research on practical classroom instruction. Each study provided some practical suggestions for teachers who tend to use collaborative learning, either face-to-face or computer-supported.

-----

Extra information

Last modified:20 June 2024 07.36 a.m.
Share this Facebook LinkedIn
View this page in: Nederlands

More news

  • 17 June 2025

    The brain as tumble tower

    For decades, Monicque Lorist, Professor of Cognitive Neuropsychology, has been trying to unravel how the human brain works. What influences our thinking? What happens when we are tired, or when we age? ‘There‘s still so much we don’t know. Questions...

  • 16 June 2025

    Science for Society | Wild & Willful

    Quite a few children display energetic and headstrong behaviour that does not fit in with the demands our society places on them. Parents, teachers, and pedagogical staff are therefore looking for tools to deal with this behaviour without...

  • 11 June 2025

    Liekuut | Elite sport brings people together and makes for a great testing ground

    Is elite sport only fun for the people who are actually doing it? It generates money and attention, there are special arrangements in place for students who compete at the highest level, and newspapers are full of sports headlines, but how does it...