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Title:
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HOW DO E-TUTORS SUPPORT COLLABORATIVE LEARNING? - GUIDELINES FROM A EUROPEAN STUDY |
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Author(s):
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Birgitta Maria Kopp, Maria Cristina Matteucci, Carlo Tomasetto |
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ISBN:
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978-972-8939-20-5 |
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Editors:
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Gunilla Bradley |
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Year:
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2010 |
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Edition:
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Single |
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Keywords:
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Virtual collaboration, e-tutorial support, guidelines. |
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Type:
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Full Paper |
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First Page:
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19 |
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Last Page:
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26 |
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Language:
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English |
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Cover:
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Full Contents:
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click to dowload 
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Paper Abstract:
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Virtual collaborative learning is becoming more and more common over the last two decades. In collaborative knowledge construction scenarios, the learner-tutor interaction plays a major role in successful learning. In this context, the support of the e-tutor is of importance. Possible support methods include the preparation and organization of the learning unit and direct interventions during the collaboration process. Even though support methods are relevant from a theoretical point of view, the question is whether or not e-tutors effectively use such methods in their actual e-learning courses. To gain further insight into the real practices of e-tutors, in our study we developed a questionnaire to survey the main support methods used. Seventy-eight e-tutors from 17 different European countries participated in this study. Results showed that e-tutors support collaborative learning by providing specific technical and didactical support and by fostering the collaborative learning process, especially content-specific activities such as online discussion. Based on these results, guidelines for supporting virtual collaborative learning were developed. |
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