Theoretical Investigations: Philosophical Foundations of Group Cognition

Computers have transformed how we think, discuss, and learn, but social media can foster flaming, culture wars, and fake news. This volume presents an alternative paradigm for computer support of group thinking, collaborative learning, and joint knowledge construction. It explores the conditions for group cognition and provides a philosophical foundation for new models of pedagogy and methods to analyze group interaction. The investigations comprise a selection of seminal and influential articles and critical commentaries that contribute to an understanding of concepts and themes central to the CSCL field.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 597 pages
Publication date: 24 April 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

Computers have revolutionized the way we think, communicate, and learn, impacting individuals, groups, cultures, and the world at large. While computers have brought numerous benefits, social media platforms have also posed significant challenges. One of the most concerning issues is the proliferation of flaming, culture wars, and fake news. This volume offers an alternative paradigm for computer support of group thinking, collaborative learning, and joint knowledge construction. It emphasizes the need to expand our concepts of cognition to encompass collectivities, such as collaborative groups of networked students.

Theoretical Investigations: Philosophical Foundations of Group Cognition delves into the conditions for group cognition, providing a philosophical foundation for new models of pedagogy and methods to analyze group interaction. The book comprises 25 self-contained investigations that document progress in research on computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL). These investigations cover both Stahls' own research and the first decade of the CSCL journal.

The volume begins with two new reflections on the vision and theory that emerge from this research. Representing both ethnomethodological and social-constructivist research paradigms, the investigations within this volume encompass a selection of seminal and influential articles and critical commentaries that contribute to an understanding of concepts and themes central to the CSCL field.

The book elaborates on an innovative theory of group cognition and substantiates the pedagogical potential of CSCL. It serves as an essential resource for graduate students in educational theory, instructional design, learning and networked technologies. Researchers and practitioners in these fields will also find the investigations valuable.

In conclusion, computers have transformed the way we think, communicate, and learn, and social media platforms have presented both challenges and opportunities. This volume offers an alternative paradigm for computer support of group thinking, collaborative learning, and joint knowledge construction. By expanding our concepts of cognition to encompass collectivities and leveraging the pedagogical potential of CSCL, we can foster more inclusive, productive, and informed communities.

Weight: 1178g
Dimension: 254 x 178 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030491598
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021