Understanding computer-supported group work: The effects of interaction frequency on group process and outcome

Interactive, anonymous, computer-supported brainstorming has been shown to be useful for a variety of forms of group work. Brainstorming software helps students work together to generate and evaluate ideas together effectively and efficiently. A laboratory experiment was used to evaluate the effects of group member interaction frequency-a major component of the automated brainstorming process-on computer-supported groups performing an idea-generation task. Interaction frequency is defined here as the length of time group members are allowed to form and input their contributions and the related rate at which group members exchange their contributions electronically. This study found that group members who interacted frequently and individuals whose outputs were pooled outperformed individuals working alone and group members who interacted infrequently. Although frequently interacting groups of students were among the most productive at generating ideas together to solve a problem, they also felt more interrupted and more hurried.