Identifying problem-based scaffolding patterns in an online forum for construction professionals

Identifying problem-based scaffolding

patterns in an online forum for

construction professionalsKairit Tammets, Mart Laanpere, Tobias Ley, Kai Pata :: Tallinn University, Estonia

European Conference of Technology Enhanced Learning 2013 :: Paphos, Cyprus

Context of the study

FP7 IP Learning Layers: online scaffolding in construction sector

Help-seeking and scaffolding at the workplace in construction sector: current practices do not scale

Emerging practice: online forums as networked scaffolding tools

Construction forum Ehitusfoorum.com: Launched in 2003 by a construction company, most popular

among professional and amateur construction workers in Estonia More than 10 000 registered users, nearly 200 000 posts in 30

000 threads, annotated with 34 different category labels

Scaffolding in communities of practice

Scaffolding: means to bridge the gap between what students can do on their own and what they can do with the help of a more capable other (Woods, Bruner & Ross, 1976)

Traditional view on scaffolding: communication between tutor and tutee; different in online forums

Computer-based scaffolds (Azevedo & Hadwin, 2005); lacking the social aspect

Networked scaffolding: members of the online CoP support each other in the problem-solving process; accumulation of knowledge; dynamics of reputation and trust

Research problem & questions

What form of scaffolding emerges within an online Community of Practice (CoP) of construction specialists?

Research questions: How do the members of the construction forum provide scaffolding

to the help-seekers and how it is being acknowledged? What is a suitable typology of learning problems identified in the

help-seeking process in the online forum of construction specialists?

Expected outcome: initial set of networked scaffolding patterns that can be used to inform design decisions when building next-generation socio-technical systems that support workplace learning in construction field (e.g. digital tools in Learning Layers project)

Research design

Unit of qualitative analysis: a thread in the forum

A set of help-seeking discussion threads were identified and categorised using open coding method. Then categories were compared with some existing typologies of learning problems and identified a good match with Jonassen’s problem-based learning typology

More than 100 discussion threads from the forum were classified using Jonassen’s typology. In each thread, the problem statement, the solution path and solution were identified by two researchers (consensus-based)

Typology of problems (D.H.Jonassen, 2000)

Logical problems Algorithmic problems Story problems Rule-using problems Decision-making problems Design problems Trouble-shooting problems Diagnosis-solution problems Strategic performance problems Case analysis problems Dilemmas (open-ended, with multiple answers)

Findings

Networked scaffolding often leads to accumulation of knowledge

The type of problem influences the type of objects that accumulate (solutions, arguments, criteria, symptoms…)

Not only knowledge accumulates, but also trust/reputation

Different types of problems result with (or require) different scaffolding patterns

Forum does not afford well the accumulation and re-use of knowledge (tagging could improve it, but it is not used in phpBB)

Diagnosis-solution problems Decision-making problems

Why is the chimney grimy outside and could it be dangerous? Why is the wooden house molding?Why new log-house ventilates?

Can I lay parquet on top of old Soviet-style wooden floor and if yes, how should the floor be prepared?Plastic under concrete floor- bad idea?

Describe similar case: My experience with molding houses tells you should…Recommend an expert: Turn to user x, he has experience with log houses

You might need to raise the doorsYou should check what’s under old floor before covering it with parquetStrengthen first the old floor

Refer to solution: Read the instruction here (link), it should help youAccumulate/search: Seek for a relevant thread from last year

Accumulate/synthesize: Based on the earlier discussions in this forum, I’d recommend…

Try cleaning the chimney firstLow-quality firewood, perhapsCover the top of chimneyChimney-gas get too cold

You don’t want concrete – can’t fix it if something goes wrongOld house – take care for ventilationPlastic isn’t a problem, ground could be

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Conclusions and future research

Networked scaffolding in online communities of practice changes the initial meaning of scaffolding concept

Initial study shows that Jonassen’s typology might be relevant and useful also in the context of studying network scaffolding

Problem types are related with specific scaffolding patterns

Accumulation of knowledge objects can be improved

Trust and reputation of single members of CoP still important and better visible in online settings, also accumulates