Effects of knowledge interdependence with the partner on visual and action transactivity in collaborative concept mapping

In the present study, participants working in dyads were asked to build a concept map collaboratively. While interacting, they were able to access visualizations (individual concept maps) of both their own and their partner’s prior knowledge (own and peer maps). Eye movements of both learning partners were recorded during the course of collaboration. Our goal was twofold. First, we focused on transactivity at both the visual and action levels. Second, we investigated the effects of knowledge interdependence with the partner on transactivity in collaborative concept mapping. We found that the degree to which participants co-manipulate the same objects in the collaborative map (action transactivity) is higher when they discussed identical (rather than complementary) information. Results from eye-gaze data showed that participants who shared complementary information transitioned more frequently between their own map and their partner’s map; eye-movement transitions between own and peer maps were also negatively correlated with learning outcomes.