Cooperation scripts for learning via web-based discussion boards and videoconferencing

Abstract : Computer-supported collaborative learning often means that locally distant learners discuss a task via text-based discussion boards or videoconferencing. Collaborative learning, however, is often suboptimal with respect to how learners work on the concepts that are supposed to be learned and how learners interact with each other. Collaborative learning environments may be improved by scripts that structure epistemic activities and social interactions of learners. Two studies are being reported that investigated the effects of epistemic and social scripts in a text-based and a videoconferencing computer supported learning environment. In each study the factors "epistemic script" and "social script" have been independently varied in a 2×2-factorial design. 182 university students of Educational Science participated in the two studies. Results show that social scripts can be substantially beneficial with respect to knowledge acquisition, whereas epistemic scripts apparently do not to lead to the expected effects or even hinder learning.