Collaborative Problem-Solving with Logo: Effects of Group Size and Group Composition

Abstract

This study investigated productivity in individuals versus groups of two or three as well as the interaction processes underlying differences between dyads and triads and differences between male, female or mixed groups learning LOGO on microcomputers. Thirty-six students aged ten learned LOGO individually or in groups of two or three for one session, had a practice session, then were required to produce a graphic in LOGO for the experimental session. No differences were found between individuals and groups, in terms of productivity. Group interaction (as measured by the Bales Interaction Process Analysis [1], was found to be similar in two and three person groups. However, significant ( p < .05) differences were observed among male, female, and mixed groups. The direction of these differences were as follows: males displayed more solidarity than females or mixed groups, the female group members were much more likely to express agreement with their peers than were members of the males group. There was also more asking of information in the male groups than the female groups. Finally, males expressed much more antagonism than females or mixed groups. These results are discussed in light of previous studies in this area.

Mindstorms or a storm in a teacup? A review of research with Logo

“…The issue of gender and performance in the context of Logo has also been addressed in other studies [5,56,60,70,[76][77][78][79][80][81][82]. In interpreting the results of this research it is important to consider what the authors and we ourselves value in the educational context.…”

“…Gunterman and Tovar [5] did not observe any differences in the productivity of individuals, dyads and triads working on Logo tasks. In comparing the interaction in two and three-person groups, Gunterman and Tovar found similar patterns of behaviour.…”

“…They stipulated that a girl was 'more likely to share her problem with her partner, her representation of the problem, and her ideas for problem-solving' [60]. Such differences were also observed by Nielsen and Roepstorf [83] and Gunterman and Tovar [5].…”

“…There is also evidence that there is no difference in performance when individual versus group contexts are compared [5,70]. Gunterman and Tovar [5] did not observe any differences in the productivity of individuals, dyads and triads working on Logo tasks.…”

“…This was very useful as it provided studies of individuals and small groups 854 N. Yelland working with Logo for an extended period of time. More recently, certainly in the last five to seven years, there have been outstanding studies that have extended the breadth and quality of Logo research by incorporating empirical and observational methods with a consideration of social and cognitive aspects [3][4][5][6][7][8].…”