Research on computer-supported collaborative learning in transdisciplinary groups

Abstract

This chapter analyses the transdisciplinary action research of future IT specialists and artists. The problem is that after graduating from studies, majority of students will work in transdisciplinary and continuously changing teams, as the modern world is inconceivable without labor collectives or project work groups designed for the solutions of certain problems. They must be prepared for such collaboration. This chapter discusses a 5-year experience where transdisciplinary action research projects are applied while working with general-type university and specialized art university students in Lithuania. Computer science and art students were involved in the research. The learning process was organized in such way that students learned while working in transdisciplinary groups creating a common product intended for solving a real empirical task. Computer-supported collaborative learning tools were applied for communication/collaboration among group members. The authors try to show how transdisciplinary action research influences students’ educational results and how students themselves assess such learning. The results of qualitative empirical and quantitative research are presented.