Role-Play in Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning-An Explorative Study

Abstract

The role-play has been regarded as an important function which may facilitate effective computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL). In this paper, we explored undergraduates’ experiences in undertaking team-based task in CSCL environment. The main purpose of this study was to examine the impacts of role-play on CSCL. 90 participants grouped into 18 teams were surveyed. For the team-based analysis level, the results indicated that roles of team members in CSCL teams have relations with their appraisal for CSCL. This finding suggested that teachers and students should be aware of the roles played in CSCL environment and govern the roles to stimulate effective online collaborative learning.