GROUPWORK WITH COMPUTERS - AN OVERVIEW OF FINDINGS

The paper presents the main findings of the London-based study, carrie d out as part of the ESRC project Groupwork with Computers. During thi s study, we attempted to identify the background and process factors w hich influence the success of groupwork with computers. The research u sed a multi-site case study design in six schools and involved eight g roups of six mixed-sex, mixed-ability pupils (aged 9-12) undertaking t hree mathematics tasks, two using LOGO and one a database. Our main fi ndings suggest that group settings are only successful in terms of bot h group outcome and learning, if the group structures their activity i n particular and identifiable ways. These organisational styles and pa tterns of interaction themselves are conditional on interpersonal and social characteristics of the group and class.