Issues in the Computer-based Assessment of Collaborative Problem Solving

Collaborative problem solving skills are considered necessary skills for success in today's world of work and school. Collaborative learning refers to learning environments in which small groups of people work together to achieve a common goal, and problem solving is using cognitive processing to find a solution to a problem. Thus, collaborative problem solving is defined as problem solving activities that involve interactions among a group of individuals. This paper will address several key issues (e.g. theory and measurement of collaborative problem solving and issues in measuring problem solving processes). We rely on computerisation of the administration, scoring and reporting of collaborative problem solving skills, thus potentially increasing reliability and validity.