Abstract. We present an evaluation of an “in the wild” classroom deployment of Colocated
Collaborative Writing (CCW), an application for digital tabletops. CCW was
adapted to the classroom setting across 8 SMART tables. Here, we describe the
outcomes of the 6 week deployment with students aged 13-14, focussing on how
CCW operated as a tool for learning within a classroom environment. We analyse
video data and interaction logs to provide a group specific analysis in the classroom
context. Using the group as the unit of analysis allows detailed tracking of the group’s
development over time as part of scheme of work planned by a teacher for the
classroom. Through successful integration of multiple tabletops into the classroom,
we show how the design of CCW supports students in learning how to collaboratively
plan a piece of persuasive writing, and allows teachers to monitor progress and
process of students. The study shows how the nature and quality of collaborative
interactions changed over time, with decision points bringing students together to
collaborate, and how the role of CCW matured from a scaffolding mechanism for
planning, to a tool for implementing planning. The study also showed how the
teacher’s relationship with CCW changed, due to the designed visibility of groups’
activities, and how lesson plans became more integrated utilizing the flexibility of the
technology. These are key aspects that can enhance the adoption of such technologies
by both students and teachers in the classroom
Fig. 1. : CCW Interface: 1. Evidence Palette 2. Evidence Slips 3. Paragraphs 4. Connection
Figure 2: a) Classroom Camera b) Single Group Camera
Study Protocol
The study was designed to investigate the relationship between students and the
technology through their collaborative behaviours, and that between the teacher and
the technology through her feedback and lesson plans. It was conducted over 4
sessions across a half term (6 weeks) in a UK secondary school classroom. The
classroom was equipped with 8 smart tables, allowing 8 groups of 3-4 students to
participate – 30 students in total. The students were native English speakers of mixed
ability, studying English in Year 8 (aged 13-14, key stage 3). Each lesson was
planned and facilitated by the class’s usual English teacher, who also produced the
session content. Sessions were scheduled to fit in with the existing timetable. The
teacher met with the research team to discuss and improve the design before the study
and had completed a collaborative writing task using CCW. She designed lesson plans
to incorporate the technology into her teaching goals. 2-3 Researchers were present at
each session, and sessions were filmed with a classroom camera and a single group
camera (Figure 2). Before each CCW session, the students completed a collaborative
exercise, either Digital Mysteries [10] (first 3 sessions) or a classroom debate (final
session). The “in the wild” context also had significant practical ramifications,
including: