Productivity in online CSCL groups: A Rasch analysis approach to the preliminary validation of the productivity scale

The current research on computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL) point to the many benefits of group learning. However, these benefits can only be achieved when groups are productive and attaining productivity within CSCL groups is not easy. Assigning students to groups and asking them to
collaborate does not guarantee that productive social interaction will take place. This is even more true in online CSCL: even when the virtual learning environment (VLE) provides an abundance of computermediated communication (CMC) tools to communicate, it may not necessarily lead to increased social interaction that is also productive. For that reason, pedagogical techniques are necessary to facilitate productive social interaction. These techniques may encompass structuring the group learning, developing group regulation skills, taking care of the group task characteristics, and selecting an appropriate virtual learning environment (VLE) for group learning. To determine whether these techniques are effective in enhancing productive social interaction requires measurement of the
productivity in the CSCL group. However, an instrument to measure this is lacking. The paper presents a preliminary Productivity Scale using a polytomous scale with five rating steps. The Productivity scale was validated using Winsteps version 4.8.0 that implements the Rasch Measurement Model. Although the Productivity scale is preliminary, the psychometric properties of the instrument are good and,
therefore, the scale can already be used in group learning research that consider CSCL groups.