Analysing Interaction in a Collaborative Game: a Case Study

Abstract

This work aims investigation of interaction which takes place among participants of a learning activity using a collaborative synchronous simulation game. This collaborative system was designed to help process of manufacturing concepts learning. A conceptual framework is proposed to be used in analyses of interaction. We used this conceptual framework to study: nature of speech acts taking place during activity, role of players and speeches and conversations characteristics. entertainment. In many chat spaces, conversations are ephemeral, lasting only while current session is alive. At workplaces, informal conversations enable specific information exchanges and are as important as formal procedures to their jobs. Most computer- supported environments for distance learning, as well as environments for group work, include some tools to support conversation among individuals. Despite fact that these applications allow conversations to be recorded, analysis of interaction in these environments are seldom reported in literature. This work aims to investigate interaction which takes place among participants of a learning activity using a collaborative synchronous simulation game. Interaction within a group can be understood in its wider meaning as an articulation of relationships of reciprocal influences among individuals; each individual is under action or influence of others and, at same time, s/he has possibility of acting or influencing others (Antillanca and Fuller, 1999). Thus, interaction among users of a collaborative system is a sequence of influenced actions; first one initiated by action of a user that influences other users, followed by reciprocal actions initiated by influenced users, and so on. In collaborative systems, influence actions must be somehow coordinated in order to provide users with interaction protocols useful to reach objectives of group. In this work we analyse influence and coordination of actions by analysing interaction mediated by a shared artefact: a collaborative game. Collaborators construct and maintain common ground through a process known as grounding (Flor, 1998). Common ground is a concept used to explain conversation, meaning mutual knowledge, beliefs and assumptions between two or more people. It is necessary to maintain conversational activity. Grounding includes entire process of conversation turn taking speakers need to detect and correct misunderstanding. Flor argues that the notion of grounding provides a conceptual framework for understanding joint interactions between co-workers in a variety of collaborative situations (p. 202). While there is a sound theory around grounding mechanisms that explains conversation, this concept could be extended to collaborations that require construction of a kind of common ground. This work proposes a conceptual framework