Abstract:

Many previous studies have emphasized the role of the sociability of the computer supported collaborative learning (CSCL) environments on learning achievements. Also, recent studies have reported that other than on-task interaction, students have considerable off-task interactions in CSCL environments. Yet, more studies are needed to clarify the off-task aspect of social interactions in CSCL and sociability of the environment. This paper attempts to investigate and operationalize sociability of CSCL environments from off-task point of view in order to further clarify this aspect of CSCL. It first reviews previous sociability questionnaires and instruments and then proposes a list of measure to represent and operationalize off-task sociability of CSCL. The proposed list of measures is then validated through experts’ judges and finally implications are discussed.