Problematic Interaction Patterns During Online-Collaboration. A Library and a Survey

Abstract

Implementing collaborative learning into online courses can help mitigate central challenges for this learning setting which often stem from a lack of interaction in the course. During online-collaboration, however, learners can experience a number of interaction patterns that not only reduce the effectiveness of the collaboration but also lead to frustration. If learners are frustrated with the collaboration they are prone to reducing their participation or even exiting the learning setting. As collaborative learning can only be effective if all group members interact with each other, frustrating interaction patterns pose a challenge to the effectiveness of collaborative learning. We compiled a library consisting of 14 potentially frustrating interaction patterns through a literature-review and an analysis of collaboration data (n = 10 groups). Conducting an online survey among university students (n = 100) revealed that social loafing, deadline rush, ineffective communication, and unequal participation are the most severe interaction patterns.