Analyzing the material conditions of CSCL interaction

A series of interaction-analysis special data sessions

CSCL research and theory in the Nordic countries has often featured interaction analysis in the tradition of ethnomethodologically inspired conversation analysis, dialogism, socio-cultural perspectives and related approaches. The focus of interaction analysis in CSCL is on detailed studies of the processes of learning and collaboration, as technologically mediated. The Special Events at CSCL 2015 will present a special conference track to build on this tradition.

During the main conference, there will be a track of data sessions. In each session, a session organizer will present an excerpt of CSCL interaction (e.g., a video clip and a detailed log). During the session, the audience will discuss how the material conditions of CSCL interaction can be seen at work in the excerpt.

The deadline for submissions has passed.

The material conditions of CSCL interaction include, for instance:

• Practices of collaborative learning (e.g., joint attention, shared representations, co-construction of knowledge objects).
• Computer mediation of interaction (e.g., by communication media, representational applications).
• Embodied and situative aspects of computer-supported small-group existence (e.g., temporal sequentiality and persistence, responsiveness to the on-going activity and group agentic projection of objectives).
• Socio-cultural and historical dimensions made relevant in the interaction (e.g., cultural practices, positioning of roles and power relationships).
• Institutional practices (e.g., the structure of classes in schools, the focus of museums, the traditions of academic domains).
• Design of CSCL artifacts and activity systems (e.g., media, representational structuring, scripts).
• Leveraging transformation of material conditions through CSCL practices.
  

Structure of a typical data session:

• Brief introduction to the research context of the data by the organizer.
• Description of proposed innovations in conducting interaction analysis or of new tools for transcription.
• Preliminary presentation of the data by the organizer (e.g., showing of a brief video—maximum of 1 or 2 minutes).
• Reading of a printed transcription of the data (e.g., a one-page Jeffersonian transcript or computer log) by session participants.
• Most of the session will be open discussion by participants, facilitated by a conference organizer. The number of participants in each session will be limited.
• The discussion should focus on a specific material condition and how it is made visible in the data.
• The session should conclude with a summary of the discussion: what was discovered, its broader implications for CSCL and suggestions for further analysis of the data.
  

Submission Instructions:

• Proposals for data sessions should be written in English.
• The deadline for special sessions have passed.
• Please email your questions to the special events chairs: Lone Dirckinck-Holmfeld and Gerry Stahl.

Special event proposals comprise 2 pieces:

1. Description for special event chairs

The description of the data session enables the special event committee to evaluate not only the content of the event, but also the organisation of the event.

The description should be written with the special session chairs as the intended audience, telling us about practical issues that enables us to evaluate the proposal. The descriptions should not exceed 2 pages, and should include:

• Title of the session
• Organizers' names and affiliations
• Methodological and theoretical approach to interaction analysis.
• Description of transcription methods and useful tools.
• Arguments about the central issue from the excerpt related to the material conditions of CSCL interaction
• Description of the planned structure of the data session
• A list of the organizer’s experience in facilitating data sessions.

2. Description for Proceedings

A description that would eventually appear in the conference proceedings that does not exceed two (2) pages and should adhere to the proceedings format guidelines. This should be written with the reader of the conference proceedings in mind, who may be reading the description after the event has taken place. The format can be flexible, but it is suggested that the proceedings description include:

• Title of the session
• Organizers' names and affiliations
• Description of data excerpt (both the research context and the format of the data).

• Theoretical background and relevance to field and conference
• Expected outcomes and contributions

Accepted proposals will be published in the conference proceedings. Proposers will work closely with conference organizers to prepare for the data session and to co-facilitate it. For more details, see guidelines on data preparation.

The call for CSCL 2015 Special Sessions can be downloaded as a pdf.