Aula de ciências em laboratório de informática: uma construção discursiva do monopólio participativo = Computer collaborative work in the elementary science classroom : the making of monopolization

In the present study, we articulate how the nature of students’ interactions during computer collaborative work (CCW) is not only mediated by their physical arrangement within the group, but it also contributes to the emergence of monopolization. Using a socio-cultural theoretical approach to learning in conjunction with discourse analysis to investigate the verbal and non-verbal exchanges amongst members of a working group in an elementary science classroom, we discuss the negative implications of this unique type of group dynamic to group cohesion and science teaching and learning in such computer-based school environments.