Promoting collaborative interactions in a learning management system

This study aimed at addressing social and technological challenges in a computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL) setting. Observations were made in the context of an online Master´s degree program. A group of four students supported by online tutors and facilitators participated in the study. Interaction analysis (IA) helped reveal both successful and problematic aspects in the CSCL setting. The role of the online tutors´ prompts and pointers was critical in scaffolding effective collaborative interactions among students in a learning management system (LMS). The students chose to use additional tools besides the LMS in their collaborative learning activities. The analysis also revealed other factors that contributed to student engagement, such as task meaningfulness and the course grade. Suggestions for improving the learning environment are discussed in the paper, such as additional guidance and introduction of supplementary tools.