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Collaborative learning amongst distance learners of mathematics

Lookup NU author(s): Kurien Philip, Professor Sugata Mitra

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Abstract

This paper describes the effects of collaborative support on groups of distance learners of General Certificate of Secondary Education mathematics. Two experiments are described. In each case, learners were provided with teleconferencing with peers, experts and mentors in addition to structured study materials. No improvements were noticed in course completion rates and the learners were seen to disengage from the teleconference over time. When provided with a virtual learning environment, learners were, once again, found not to use the practice or support features of the system. The results from our experiments are intriguing in that they seem to indicate that scaffolding in the form of structured material, collaborative environments, and a virtual learning environment does not seem to affect performance in any way other than an improvement in revenue realisation.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Philip K, Mitra S

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Open Learning: The Journal of Open, Distance and e-Learning

Year: 2012

Volume: 27

Issue: 3

Pages: 227-247

Print publication date: 14/09/2012

ISSN (print): 0268-0513

ISSN (electronic): 1469-9958

Publisher: Routledge

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02680513.2012.716655

DOI: 10.1080/02680513.2012.716655


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