Adapting the human-computer interface to support collaborative learning environments for children
department or school: Science, Faculty of
department or school: Computer Science, Department of
data provider: DSpace
degree campus: UBCV
creator: Inkpen, Kori Marie
issued: 2009-04-01T19:31:35Z
issued: 1997
related degree: Doctor of Philosophy - PhD
degree grantor: University of British Columbia
description: The presence of computers in schools has grown tremendously over the last ten years. In the wake of this enormous growth, sound research on how to effectively design learning environments and successfully integrate computers into the classroom is needed. The research described in this dissertation evaluates computer-based collaborative learning environments for children using three important criteria: (a) the social environment in which the technology is placed, (b) the technology that provides for explicit collaboration, and (c) the low-level interface design. An additional focus of the research, which crosses all three themes, is gender. The research comprised three experimental studies that were conducted in the three research themes. All these studies employed a creative problem-solving game as the research vehicle. The social theme of the research focuses on the interactions between children mediated by computers. We examined whether the ways children were assigned to work on computers affected their achievement and their motivation. Our results show that how children are asked to use computers does in fact affect their achievement. Grouping children around a single computer can have a positive effect on both achievement and motivation compared to having children play on their own computers. The technology theme of the research focuses on extending computer technology from single-user computers to technology more suited to supporting collaboration in a multi-user environment. We modified the computer environment (both the hardware and the software) to allow the addition of a second mouse to see how this change would affect the children's achievement, learning, and behaviour while playing a puzzle-solving game collaboratively. The results show that the addition of a second mouse to the computer can positively affect children's achievement and learning in the game as well as the temporal patterns of who controls the mouse. The interface design theme of the resear…
aggregated CHO: https://circle.library.ubc.ca/rest/handle/2429/6692
extent: 25404546 bytes
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note: Adapting the Human-Computer Interface to Support Collaborative Learning Environments for Children by Kori Marie Inkpen B.Sc, Dalhousie University, 1992 A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF Doc to r of Phi losophy in THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES (Department of Computer Science) We accept this thesis as conforming to the required standard/ The University of British Columbia August 1997 © Kori Marie Inkpen, 1997 In presenting this thesis in partial fulfilment of the requirements for an advanced degree at the University of British Columbia, I agree that the Library shall make it freely available for reference and study. I further agree that permission for extensive copying of this thesis for scholarly purposes may be granted by the head of my department or by his or her representatives. It is understood that copying or publication of this thesis for financial gain shall not be allowed without my written permission. Department of Campf/feT S c / f /XV The University of British Columbia Vancouver, Canada Date v 5 £ y E r , isj?l DE-6 (2/88) Abstract The presence of computers in schools has grown tremendously over the last ten years. In the wake of this enormous growth, sound research on how to effectively de-sign learning environments and successfully integrate computers into the classroom is needed. The research described in this dissertation evaluates computer-based col-laborative learning environments for children using three important criteria: (a) the social environment in which the technology is placed, (b) the technology that pro-vides for explicit collaboration, and (c) the low-level interface design. An additional focus of the research, which crosses all three themes, is gender. The research com-prised three experimental studies that were conducted in the three research themes. A l l these studies employed a creative problem-solving game as the research vehicle. The social theme of the research focuses on the interact…
has type: Thesis/Dissertation
date issued: 1997-11
is shown at: 10.14288/1.0051664
language: eng
degree discipline: Computer Science
provider: Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
publisher: University of British Columbia
rights: For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.
scholar level: Graduate
type: Text
identifier URI: http://hdl.handle.net/2429/6692