Explorations in Cooperative Systems: Thinking Collectively to Learn, Learning Individually to Think.

摘要

Cooperative learning and group problem solving each focus on the collective interaction of group members. Conventional wisdom suggests that in some situations 'too many cooks spoil the broth', whereas in other circumstances 'many hands make light work'. This paper reviews three major issues (the complexity of measuring success, the conditions underlying success, and the transfer of success of future endeavors) to understand groups which enhance learning. Results often fail to address metacognition and specific contextual knowledge within group collaboration. They also do not assess whether cooperative learning/problem solving will transfer to new situations which a member encounters alone. In response, a cooperative systems approach is described for integrating cooperative learning and problem solving. Cooperative systems are discussed as a means of distributing intelligence across group function as well as facilitating spontaneous individual use of knowledge for future problem solving. Keywords: Cooperative learning, Group problem solving, Naturalistic problem solving, Metacognition, Computer-supported cooperative work, Group decision support systems. (sdw)