Polyphonic Support for Collaborative Learning

This paper argues that one reason for the success of collaborative problem solving where individual attempts failed is the polyphonic character of work in small groups. Polyphony, a concept taken from music, may occur in chats for problem solving, transforming dialog into a "thinking device": Different voices jointly construct a melody (story, or solution) and other voices adopt differential positions, identifying dissonances (unsound, rickety stories or solutions). This polyphonic interplay may eventually make clear the correct ("sound") construction. The paper illustrates the polyphonic character of collaborative problem solving using chats. It also proposes prototyped software tools for facilitating polyphony in chats.

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2006
• Where: CRIWG
• Authors: Stefan Trausan-Matu, Gerry Stahl, Johann W. Sarmiento
• Keywords: Collaborative Problem Solving, CRIWG 2006, CRIWG 2007, Polyphonic Character, Problem Solving