Sabine, Gläsmann (2006) The concept of peer cognisance : exploring participants' experiences of collaboration in a networked learning project. PhD thesis, University of Sheffield.
Abstract
This thesis explores the concept of 'peer cognisance' - a mutual sense of awareness, cognition and responsibility among learners - in the context of online and face-toface collaboration. The study builds on a constructivist, learner-centred approach, and argues the need for reflective practice in education. The literature reviewed for the thesis builds on these concepts, linking reflexivity, motivation, learner autonomy and facilitation to successful collaboration. The research outlines two studies. A preliminary study involved sixteen students in higher education institutions in Germany and the U.S., which had to be curtailed due to lack of participation. The main motivating factor for participants was the mutual sense of responsibility for and awareness of other group members' needs, leading to the second, main study of the thesis, which sought to actively facilitate this awareness, or 'peer cognisance'. The main study grouped 13-year old pupils and paired them with university language students during their year abroad, encouraging the younger learners to take control of their learning environment as much as possible. Collaboration took place online via WebCT, and, for the pupils, face-to-face in the classroom. Facilitation occurred both online and face-to-face during visits to the school. The study adopts a qualitative approach to data analysis, using narrative accounts from students, pupils and facilitator to explore motivations behind collaboration. The analysis conftrmed the initial fmdings from the fIrst study, and led to recommendations for the successful facilitation of collaboration through the concept of peer cognisance.
Metadata
Awarding institution: | University of Sheffield |
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Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Social Sciences (Sheffield) > School of Education (Sheffield) |
Identification Number/EthosID: | uk.bl.ethos.683915 |
Depositing User: | EThOS Import Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 16 Jan 2017 16:19 |
Last Modified: | 16 Jan 2017 16:19 |
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