Using Discussion Prompts to Scaffold Parent-Child Collaboration Around a Computer-Based Activity

Abstract

Research has shown that parents' collaborative involvement with their child's learning within the home context can be beneficial in improving their child's motivation and academic performance [1]. However, collaborative dialogue does not necessarily occur spontaneously because two users are sharing the same computer [2]. The current study focuses on the human-centred, iterative design and evaluation of a computer-based activity-Frankie's Fruitful Journey that utilises discussion prompts to scaffold parent-child collaboration around a weight and mass task within the home context. In the first design cycle, we identify when and where parent-child dyads could benefit from computer-based discussion prompts. In the second iteration we implement discussion prompts and report on their effectiveness in significantly increasing the quality of collaboration between parent and child. We conclude by discussing the future possibilities for the use of learner modelling techniques to support the provision of adaptive software scaffolding to guide parent interventions within parent-child dyads.