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Cooperative Learning in Online Thus, the researcher felt the need to
Environment have focused and strategy-oriented
studies using various online learning
Cooperative learning strategies lend
themselves easily to the online learning tools. Also, she felt the need to find
environment. They are found to impart effectiveness of these CLS in both the
a variety of benefits when implemented modes of online learning. As technology
in online learning. These strategies are is evolving every day, new ICT tools
known to enhance language proficiency, are introduced at an alarming rate.
intrinsic motivation of students (Yoshida, Thus, the researcher sensed the need
2014), social interaction (Duckworty, to explore various tools and see which
2010), Communication skills (Soh, tools will be best suited to implement
2011) and academic achievement interesting CLS.
when implemented using discussion
forums (Kupczynski, 2012). They are Objectives
more suited to Web 2.0 applications. The objectives of the study are as
The prerequisite for incorporating follows:
CLS in online learning is ‘technical and 1. To test effectiveness of Fishbowl
interpersonal skills’ of the learners strategy in Synchronous mode
(Stape, 2009).
of Online Learning in terms of
Over the period various CLS are tested Academic Achievement
for their effectiveness. Strategies such 2. To test effectiveness of Fishbowl
as Jigsaw strategy (Yashavantrao, 2010; strategy in Asynchronous mode
Lin, 2010), team – pair – solo strategy of Online Learning in terms
(Nair, 2010) and Students Teams – of Academic Achievement
Achievement Division (STAD) strategy
(Adesoji, 2009) are studied to test its 3. To compare effectiveness of
effectiveness in the online environment. Fishbowl strategy in
In one study, fishbowl strategy was used Synchronous vs. Asynchronous
in online learning to understand roles mode of Online Learning in
played in the courtroom by law students. terms of Academic Achievement
In the process, learners observed role
played by their group members in Methodology
online set-up and shared their opinion It was decided to use the Experimental
(Douglas, 2010). In another study, Method for the said study. The True
researcher used Webdialogos tool to experimental method was used for the
conduct online Fishbowl discussion in present study and ‘Two experimental
collaborative environment (John Peter, group Pre-test Post-test Design’ was
2018). In a comparative study (Miller, used. Table-1 presents the research
2008) effectiveness of online thread design used for the study.
discussion and fishbowl discussion
was studied. Both the approaches
were equally appreciated by learners in
collaborative environment.

266 Indian Journal of Educational Technology
Volume 3, Issue 2, July 2021