Collaborative Versus Individual Learning Experiences in Virtual Education: The Effects of a Time Variable

Abstract

In this study we analyzed a time effect variable on the performance of collaborative versus individual tasks. Thirty-one postgraduate students carried out two online collaborative learning tasks and two online individual tasks as part of a university course. The results of an ANOVA did not show significant effects of time or task type variables, although the effect of interaction was significant. At the beginning of the course (T1) the students’ performance was significantly higher in the collaborative tasks, while at the end of the course (T2) this trend was reversed, with the students’ performance in individual tasks being significantly higher than in the collaborative tasks. The results suggest implications for when to incorporate collaborative learning tasks in virtual learning environments.