Using the technology for only a small part of a classroom activity

Design · All designs
Evidence · 3 claims (2 for, 1 mixed) · 1 study (1 design), q2 · 0 of 1 report an effect size · 3 claims rest on one study

Description

This design pattern places a CSCL system inside a multi-step classroom activity in which the technology is used only for a small portion, contrasting with the mainstream CSCL assumption that the system must be used from beginning to end. The article calls this "One innovative aspect of the activity is that TapaCarp is used only for a small part of it." The multi-step activity proved usable and fostered many connections to the workplace.

Design Implications

Context

Requirements

• An activity structured in many steps, only some of which involve the technology
• Design grounded in the particular context, here dual carpentry apprenticeships

Constraints

• Contrasts with the mainstream CSCL approach assuming system use from beginning to end of the activity

Target Learners

• vocational apprentices in classroom settings

Learning Goals

• integrating classroom learning with workplace practice

Claims

• The multi-step activity proved usable, fostered workplace connections, and engaged teacher and students [+M]
• The tangible nature of TapaCarp helped integrate it in the classroom environment [+M]
• Pre-test/post-test learning gains showed no significant difference compared to a control group [~M] — no learning advantage over a control group

Patterns Used

• Collaborative Learning: a computer-supported collaborative system used for one step of a multi-step classroom activity rather than from start to finish

Related Designs

• TapaCarp — the tangible interface used in this activity

Examples

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Key Sources

• Cuendet, S., Dehler Zufferey, J., Ortoleva, G., & Dillenbourg, P. (2015). An integrated way of using a tangible user interface in a classroom. International Journal of Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning, 10(2), 183–208. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11412-015-9213-3

Page metadata

Field	Value
type	design
id	tui-small-part-of-classroom-activity
title	Using the technology for only a small part of a classroom activity
description	This design pattern places a CSCL system inside a multi-step classroom activity in which the technology is used only for a small portion, contrasting with the mainstream CSCL assumption that the system must be used fr...
status	review
generated	by process:settle-candidates on 2026-10-18
trust	unverified — no one has confirmed this page's content
sources	1 — cuendet-2015

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