Collaborative web search with LearnWeb2.0

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Collaborative web search with
LearnWeb2.0
Results of pilots at the eLearning Department of the
University of Hannover
Miriam Lerch
19th November 2009

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 Research partner
 elsa = E-Learning Service Department of the University of
Hannover
 Provides extensive support and advice for the deployment
of new technology and media in the learning practice
 Partners include the Architektenkammer Niedersachsen
and the International Association for Consulting
Competence e.V.
Miriam Lerch, M.A. Collaborative web search with LearnWeb2.0 19th November 2009
elsa

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 Introduction video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgSbt7GrszY&fmt=22
Introduction

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 Evaluation Framework: seminar at the University of
Hannover during the summer term 2009
 Target group: 15 students of Bachelor Special Education
+ Technical Education
 Period: 2 April – 12 July
 Learning Scenario: Using the platform for collaborative
web search for the preparation of group presentations
Study Setup

5Miriam Lerch, M.A. Collaborative web search with LearnWeb2.0 19th November 2009
Learning Scenario with LearnWeb2.0
global web
search
add Web 2.0
resources to
group
comment,
tag, share
1 2 3

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Research questions
1. What skills in terms of using Web 2.0 technologies do the
students already have?
2. Will the students use LearnWeb2.0 for collaborative web
search?
3. How do the students use LearnWeb2.0 for collaborative
web search – which functionalities are most heavily
used?
4. Which prerequisites and competences are needed for
collaborative self-directed learning with LearnWeb2.0?

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Evaluation approach
 Descriptive, multi-faceted and explorative survey
 Using different qualitative research methods (interviews)
with enriching quantitative methods (questionnaire, logfile
analysis)
 Timeframe of the pilot: 2 April – 12 July 2009
 Participants: 15 students, 3 teachers
 Data: 5 group interviews (9 persons), 5 drop-outs, 3
teacher surveys, server logs

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Evaluation approach
Research methods:
1. Survey on Internet use
2. Group interviews (+ Logfile analysis)
3. Questionnaire for non-users
4. Teacher survey

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Timeframe of Evaluation

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 LearnWeb2.0 can be characterized as groupware >
category “collaborative systems”
 supports collaboration during computer-aided group
work
 BUT: the support for communication and awareness has
not yet fully been realized
 possible impact on collaboration processes
System analysis of LearnWeb2.0

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Answers to the research questions
1. What skills in terms of using Web 2.0 technologies
do the students have?
 Very different previous experience in dealing with Web
2.0 software
 Use of various Web 2.0 applications rather passive;
active use is limited to participation in social networks
 Skills and previous experience in dealing with Web 2.0
technologies (i.e. Social Tagging) are relatively limited

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2. Do the students use LearnWeb2.0 for collaborative
web search?
 9 users, 5 non-users
 Participants used the platform at the beginning of the
evaluation period more than at the end
 especially during and immediately after the exercises
in the seminar
 Using the platform privately at home

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 LearnWeb2.0 was used between two and ten times
 Lack of time was given as a reason
 Students preferred to continue current practices
 Search functionality was used primarily, commenting or
rating to a lesser extent (1 - 4 times)
 Additional search methods were used (e.g. Google)

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3. How do the students use LearnWeb2.0 for
collaborative web search?
 Used for searching and organizing media resources
 Found media were used to enrich the presentations
 Students also used texts and documents (offline and
online) as background material
 Not all found resources were judged to be useful

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 Opportunities for collaboration were hardly used
 Communication about resources took place outside of
the platform (offline)
 Technical difficulties interfere with work and collaboration
processes
 Difficulties in navigation and operation of the system
(usability)
 Nonetheless: LearnWeb2.0 was perceived by most
students as helpful for collaborative web search!

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4. Which prerequisites and competences are needed for
collaborative self-directed learning with
LearnWeb2.0?
 Computer literacy and skills to deal with Web 2.0
technologies
 Competences regarding collaboration and group-based
work
 Motivation

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Recommendations for future use
 Users should have some previous experience and skills in
dealing with Web 2.0 technologies
 Thorough preparation (e.g. account creation) and
sufficient time for getting used with the tools is needed
 Teachers would like to have example learning
arrangements
 To improve search experience, the range of integrated
Web 2.0 infrastructure should be as large as possible
 e.g. link additional (locally popular) Web 2.0 services
(Mister Wong, MyVideo, StudiVZ)

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Recommendations for future use
 Support functions related to collaboration and
communication should be expanded
 Resources should be applied to the learning context
 certain resource types are more suitable than others
(e.g. documents, videos)

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Conclusion
 Students currently still have relatively limited skills in
dealing with Web 2.0 technologies
 The brief introduction and training period were not
sufficient for introducing the students to Web 2.0 and the
benefits of various technologies for collaborative web
search
 The innovative character of the platform turned out to be a
challenge for the users
 Concepts were highly appreciated  Suitable scenarios
for putting the platform into use should be developed

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Conclusion
 The envisaged scenario of iterative tagging, commenting
and rating was not used as expected
 especially communication and collaboration support
should be extended
 Despite the technical difficulties encountered and despite
limited online collaboration between students, the
students judged LearnWeb2.0 as helpful for collaborative
web search in preparation for group presentations
 could imagine using the system in future

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Thank you for your attention!

Collaborative web search with LearnWeb2.0

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