The Impact of Computer Supported Collaborative Learning Communities on High School Students’ Knowledge Building, Strategic Learning, and Perceptions of the Classroom*

Across two years, we examined the effects of teachers’ attempts to implement computer supported collaborative learning (CSCL) communities in classrooms in two high schools on students’ knowledge building, strategic learning, and perceptions of the classroom environment. In year one, 429 (fall) and 317 (spring) students in the classes of 8 teachers and in year two, 946 students in the classes of 18 teachers participated. Students in classes where CSCL communities were more fully established reported more knowledge building goals and activities, more question asking, and higher perception of collaboration with fellow students. Students’ reports of knowledge *This research was supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Secretary’s Fund for Innovation in Education (Grant #R215D30195). Portions of this research were presented at the 1996 Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, New York.