Computer Aided Group Collaboration - An Experience Evaluated through Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches

This paper presents the experience of students enrolled in a graduate Math course, in which a specific virtual environment for collaboration, based on team accelerated instruction (TAI) specifically adapted for virtual synchronous and asynchronous contexts supported by Internet was analyzed and evaluated. Preliminary results of the application of a particular quantitative methodology developed specifically for this experience, aided by qualitative data are presented as well. The results show a diversity of response where a natural leadership from one of the students emerges, and where the Bakerpsilas model of collaboration could be used to qualify in a qualitative base this collaboration.