Supporting collaborative learning during information searching

Proceedings of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, 2008

Collaboration plays an important role in the information seeking and retrieval activities within a team setting. In this research, we examined the impact of collaborative design features in two information retrieval tools that explicitly support collaboration. We designed the two collaborative information searching prototype, MUSE (Multi-User Search Engine) and MUST (Multi-User Search and Talk) and evaluated both systems. Results indicate that the communication (i.e., chat) function played an important role in enhancing the information seeking process by establishing common ground among group members. We also identified unexpected challenges that arose as the prototypes were used during these activities. These challenges were both technical and social in nature. We discuss implications for system design and directions for future research.

2012

There are several people who contributed in various aspects to the research work described in this thesis. First, I would like to thank Prof. Dr. Harald Reiterer giving me the chance to work in his Human-Computer Interaction Group. Second, I would like to thank my students Mischa Demarmels, Stephan Huber and Oliver Runge that supported me in implementing design cases and executing user studies. I will never forget the many hours we worked together, having fun and also some frustrated moments. I'm proud that we coped every situation as a team respecting each other. Among the group members, special thanks are due to my colleagues Jens Gerken and Katrin Allmendinger. The discussions about how to plan and execute the experiments and user studies during my research project helped me finding and focusing the important research questions of this thesis.

the 6th international …, 2007

This paper presents the Mobile and Ubiquitous Learning project (MoULe). This project aims to support students using context sensitive handheld devices in collaborative knowledge construction. To achieve this aim, a learning platform called the MoULe environment has been designed, which permits users to edit and share documents and conceptual maps using desktop computers and smartphones equipped with GPS. Teachers can use this environment to organize situated learning activities which connect digital resources to geographical locations. The MoULe project intends to facilitate the creation of learning communities who collaborate in the construction of an augmented reality where digital objects are related to physical places. The digital objects created by the students are wiki pages and conceptual maps and all the information in these documents are location based. The initial testing phase of the project involved teachers and students from four high schools in Palermo (Italy). In the paper the MoULe project and the MoULe environment are presented with some preliminary considerations about the didactic activities carried out.

Departamento de Inform��tica, Universidad de Lancaster, 1995

This paper outlines issues in the learning of information searching skills. We report on our observations of the learning of browsing skills and the subsequent iterative development and testing of the Ariadne system-intended to investigate and support the collaborative learning of search skills. A key part of this support is a mechanism for recording an interaction history and providing students with a visualisation of that history that they can reflect and comment upon.

2011

We explore the use of social learning -improving knowledge skills by observing peer behavior -in the domain of Web search skill acquisition, focusing specifically on co-located classroom scenarios. Through a series of interviews, pilot studies, and classroom deployments, we conclude that a peripheral display of Web search activity within a classroom facilitates both social learning and teacher-led discourse. We present the ClassSearch system for shared awareness of Web search activity, which embodies principles gleaned from our iterative design process, and show results from a ClassSearch deployment in twelve middle-school classroom sessions. Finally, we highlight design suggestions and opportunities for future work while taxonomizing the space of co-located search pedagogies.

Libraries In the Digital Age, 2008

Abstract: Regarding the change of information seeking to a collaborative activity, DLs as dynamic information systems, have to adopt collaboration searching tools. This study investigates the degree of collaboration in information retrieval and the extent of collaboration tools usage in DLs. The collaborative tools of a prototype digital library are assessed through a qualitative study by the aspects of usefulness, usability and usage. Results show that information search transforms to a collective form, while they prove that ...

1995

Abstract––This paper outlines issues in the learning of information searching skills. We report on our observations of the learning of browsing skills and the subsequent iterative development and testing of the Ariadne system–intended to investigate and support the collaborative learning of search skills. A key part of this support is a mechanism for recording an interaction history and providing students with a visualisation of that history that they can reflect and comment upon.

Information Processing & …, 1997

We critically review literature on the association between searching and learning and contribute to the formulation of a research agenda for searching as learning. The paper begins by reviewing current literature that tends to characterize search systems as tools for learning. We then present a perspective on searching as learning that focuses on the learning that occurs during the search process , as well as search outputs and learning outcomes. The concept of 'comprehensive search' is proposed to describe iterative, reflective and integrative search sessions that facilitate critical and creative learning beyond receptive learning. We also discuss how search interaction data can provide a rich source of implicit and explicit features through which to assess search-related learning. In conclusion , we summarize opportunities and challenges for future research with respect to four agendas: developing a search system that supports sense-making and enhances learning; supporting effective user interaction for searching as learning; providing an inquiry-based literacy tool within a search system; and assessing learning from online searching behaviour. Keywords Assessment of learning in searching; expertise modelling; searching as learning; web searching behaviour

2008