The Pattern of Interaction in Online Cooperative Learning

Online Cooperative Learning (OCoL) provides a different experience compared to Conventional Cooperative Learning (CCoL). The implementation of OCoL uses various web-based tools to support elements of Cooperative Learning such as face to face interaction. This study looks into the patterns of interaction on OCoL using group investigation as learning method. A Learning management system namely Moodle (LMS) was chosen as a platform to run this OCoL. A group of 15 students from one of the academic programmes at one of our local universities were selected randomly to carry out six learning sessions using OCoL. OCoL learning activities are classified into: learning activities, use of interactive tools, and structure of learning to facilitate the process of analysis. A pattern of interaction was identified through quantitative and qualitative analysis of log data in usage of OCoL through six learning sessions which recorded automatically. Several patterns of interaction were identified and classified by learning session, learning structure, and number of access. Analysis found that students showed a high number of accesses in the early learning session, but this number decreased at the middle and final learning session which students tend towards individual activities such as information searching as well as group investigation method. The results of this study proposes a set of guidelines of design and implementation of online cooperative learning and also learning management system which is widely used as e-learning system in higher education institution.