Analyzing collaboration and interaction in learning environments to form learner groups

In recent years there has been a huge increase in the use of systems that support collective learning processes in which groups of students collaborate to achieve common goals (Gress, Fior, Hadwin, & Winne, 2010). The research field of CSCL (Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning) studies how to take advantage of technology to improve these collective processes (Dillenbourg, Jarvela, & Fischer, 2009). Thus, nowadays learners are used to holding discussions within the subjects they are studying in forums and sharing tasks and materials with other students. CSCL systems can also enable collaborative problem-solving activities (Alavi & Dillenbourg, 2012) by providing shared workspaces where learners create solutions (source codes of computer programs, models, etc.) that solve specific tasks proposed by the teacher.