Many Heads Are Better Than One: Enhanced Collective Intelligence Online

Audience Level: 
All
Session Time Slot(s): 
Institutional Level: 
Higher Ed
Abstract: 

This session investigates the intersection of information, collective intelligence, human interaction, and online instruction. Benefits and issues related to collective intelligence are detailed, and research-based conditions for optimum collective intelligence, including its transformation through online environments, are explained.

Extended Abstract: 

The wisdom society is the latest iteration of the idea of collective intelligence, which has accelerated due to social media and other online collaborative tools. This session investigates the intersection of information, collective intelligence, human interaction, and online instruction. Several theories relate to collective intelligence (Albors, 2008; Berstein, 2012; Gan, 2007; Levy, 1997; Malone, 2010; Surowiecki, 2004; Tapscott, 2006; Wong, 2012). Benefits and issues related to collective intelligence are detailed, and conditions for optimum collective intelligence, including its transformation through online environments, are explained (Boder, 2006; Gregg, 2010; Hunt, 2010; Ilon, 2012; Paulini, 2014; Recker, 2014; Robinson, 2014). Research-based individual characteristics, group dynamics, and online processes are also discussed in terms of their impact on collective intelligence (Brabham; Croess, 2013; Kellet, 2009; Parvanta, 2013; Senge, 1990; Wooley, 2010). Examples of good practices are shared (Dai, 2013; Harney, 2014; Hildbrand, 2013; Tsai, 2011)

Session Outline:

I.   Information in the digital age (2 min.)

II.  Collective intelligence overview (5 min.)

                A. Benefits

              B. Issues

                C. Impact of social media and other online collective tools

III. Research-based conditions for collective intelligence

                A. Individual characteristics (5 min.)

                B. Group dynamics (5 min.)

                C. Online processes for optimizing collective intelligence (13 min.)

IV.  Group reflection: Good practices on collective intelligence in online courses (10 min.)

                A. Identify a course that is amenable to collective intelligence

                B. Strategize how to manage communication

                C. Strategize how to manage group dynamics

                D. Strategize how to optimize the process for optimum solutions

V.  Group sharing (pair-share and report out)

Conference Session: 
Concurrent Session 5
Conference Track: 
Teaching and Learning Practice
Session Type: 
Educate and Reflect Session
Intended Audience: 
Design Thinkers
Faculty