Yes You Can - Empowering Lecturers to Simulate Collaboration among Learners in the Disciplines of Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking Regardless of Class Size

Fostering higher-level learning in the disciplines of problem-solving and critical thinking becomes important when educating knowledge workers. By taking part in collaborative learning (CL) activities, e.g., interactive discussions, learners have the chance to develop, defend, and critique positions. However, implementing CL activities is often complex because this requires knowledge in designing effective collaboration. We build on insights from learning and collaboration engineering literature to develop an IT-based Collaborative-Learning-Pattern Approach (CLPA) that consists of two patterns, each describing a process design – one for training problem-solving, and the other for attaining critical thinking abilities. To evaluate the CLPA, we use simulations, walk-throughs among lecturers, and pilot-tests among students. Results show that the CLPA empowers lecturers to implement respective activities in the classroom, takes into account pedagogical demands, and satisfies lecturers as well as learners. We contribute several findings toward a design theory for empowering lecturers to implement CL activities in their classes.