Review by: Hartmann, Werner (2005-08-08)

Distributed collaborative learning methods and environments are one of the promises of information and communication technologies. Great potential for increased learning is assigned to communicating and working together in a computer-mediated environment.

Engineers are usually required to work in teams. As a result, team work and communication skills are central to all engineering course curricula. It is assumed that engineers with practical experience working in both traditional as well as computer-mediated teams are of greater value to employers. Thus collaborative learning in CSCL environments plays a major role in university engineering education.

In this article the authors investigate students’ experience with virtual team work. In a graduate course on lean manufacturing students were randomly assigned to face-to-face or computer mediated design teams. Project performance, social group processes and satisfactions of students were evaluated in the study.

Both groups performed equally well on the design project and reported similar patterns in group processes. As the students in computer-mediated groups were new to the use of technology as a means of communication, they found this kind of team work experience challenging. The perceptions of effectiveness and satisfaction were significantly lower in the computer-mediated groups compared to the face-to-face groups. Nevertheless the students in the computer-mediated groups reported an overall positive experience too. Students in these groups noted an enhancement of their computer-based communication skills and increased awareness towards technological challenges in industrial work.

As similar project performance in computer-mediated and face-to-face groups can be taken for granted, future research should focus on the social aspects of CSCL and small group communication.