Intro -- Christine Owen LO813

Christine.Owen@educ.utas.edu.au
Tue, 18 Apr 1995 11:44:26 +1000

>From: Christine.Owen@educ.utas.edu.au
>To: learning-org-approval@world.std.com
>Subject: Intro -- Christine Owen
>
>Hi! I am a PhD student at the University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia. I
>am currently researching ideas about learning in the workplace.I am
>specifically interested in how individual learning feeds into group learning
>which in turn feeds into organisational learning and change. Does anybody know
>of any empirical work on "group learning" or "team learning"? I note that in
>recent organizational learning literature it is also called "collective
>learning". I'm pursuing the idea that certain cultural and structural
>conditions within organisations facilitate or inhibit individuals in sharing
>what they know and learn with others. I'm wanting to explore the ways in which
>collaboration is used within and between working groups and the degree to
>which the nature of the work undertaken by people can be termed "educative".
>For example, what factors enhance or inhibit
>collaboration in the workplace? How does the social organisation of the work
>undertaken impact on learning? I'm trying to develop a working definition of
>"collaborative learning". This leads me into notions of "cooperation"
>"collaboration" "groupwork" and "teamwork". How are these terms similar or
>different? Can you help me out?

>For example if I were to ask you to cooperate with me on a project - what
>would it
>mean? OR what would need to be happening for you to state that you were
>"collaborating in an activity"? Is there a difference between cooperation
>and collaboration? Would you prefer to belong to a team or a group? Why? How
>are teamwork and groupwork related to cooperative and/or collaborative
>learning? Does working in a group or team necessarily mean that you will work
>cooperatively and/or collaboratively?
>
>So far, others have described "collaborating" as: sharing resources;
>sharing like stories; gleaning expertise from another; mentoring;to engage
>in a meaningful interchange of ideas, opinions, critique, etc.
>
>What do you think "collaborating", "cooperating", "working in a group" and
>"working in a team" mean? Your replies and guidance will be appreciated.

>
>Christine.Owen@educ.utas.edu.au
>
>
>

Christine Owen,
Department of Secondary and Postcompulsory Education
University of Tasmania
GPO Box 252C
Hobart 7001
Australia

email: Christine.Owen@educ.utas.edu.au