Four dimensions of the collaborative composing processes of student writers

Margaret Patricia Morgan, Purdue University

Abstract

To date, no case study research has examined the collaborative composing processes of college student writers using a shared document model of collaboration. In this study, four student groups, each preparing a research proposal, were videotaped while they planned and drafted their documents. Group interactions were analyzed along four dimensions: problem identification, group organizing patterns, drafting behaviors, and leadership. Findings show that (1) the group writing the highest ranked proposal used first-hand evidence to identify a problem; (2) groups drafted either by dividing the text into parts with each member writing a part or by drafting together as a group; (3) groups used 29 different speaking, writing, and reading behaviors during drafting; and (4) the group members writing the highest ranked proposals shared leadership in the group. Before there can be effective teaching using a collaborative pedagogy, there must be a greater understanding of how groups write collaboratively.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Lauer, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Language arts

COinS