Facilitation of computer-supported collaborative learning in mixed- versus same-culture dyads: Does a collaboration script help?

•The culturally mixed dyads with the script showed more seeking input activity.•The culturally mixed dyads with the script showed more social interaction.•The same culture dyads using the script displayed less planning activity.•The same culture dyads showed a higher quality of discussion than the mixed dyads.

To foster collaboration and improve the quality of students' discussions in mixed- and same- culture learner groups engaged in computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL), a collaboration script was introduced. A 2 × 2-factorial design was used to examine the effects of using this collaboration script on students' online collaborative behavior and the quality of their discussions. A total of 130 university students worked in dyads on a topic concerned with intercultural communication. Culturally mixed dyads working with the script showed a higher frequency of seeking input and social interaction than the students in the other three types of dyads. Same-culture dyads working with the script showed a lower frequency of planning activity than same-culture dyads working without the script. Independent of script condition, the same-culture dyads displayed a higher frequency of contributing activity and showed a higher quality of online discussion than the mixed-culture dyads. Collaboration in culturally mixed groups is less than optimal and may require extra facilitation.