Publications & Resources

Issues in the Computer-Based Assessment of Collaborative Problem Solving

Feb 2004

Harold F. O'Neil, San-hui Chuang, and Gregory K. W. K. Chung

Collaborative problem-solving skills are considered necessary skills for success in today’s world of work and school. Cooperative learning refers to learning environments in which small groups of people work together to achieve a common goal, and problem solving is defined as “cognitive processing directed at achieving a common goal when no solution method is obvious to the problem solver” (R. E. Mayer & M. C. Wittrock, 1996, p. 47). Thus, collaborative problem solving is defined as problem-solving activities that involve interactions among a group of individuals. This paper will address several key issues (e.g., theory and measurement of collaborative problem solving and issues in measuring problem-solving processes). We rely on computerization of the administration, scoring, and reporting of collaborative problem-solving skills, thus potentially increasing reliability and validity.

O’Neil, H. F., Chuang, S., & Chung, G. K. W. K. (2004). Issues in the computerbased assessment of collaborative problem solving (CSE Report 620). Los Angeles: University of California, Los Angeles, National Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing (CRESST).