The effects of multiple mice on children's talk and interaction

A classroom-based evaluation study examined the process of children's collaboration when using 1 or 2 mice at a desktop computer. The groupware was displayed on a PC with a single monitor, keyboard, and 1 or 2 mice. 26 school children (aged 6-7 yrs) worked in pairs to re-create a poem in pictorial format. In-depth qualitative examination of interaction using 'collaboration networks' highlighted differences in working styles between conditions. Children using 2 mice divided up their task, worked in parallel, and showed limited reciprocity and elaboration of ideas. Children sharing 1 mouse demonstrated varied behaviors ranging from highly collaboratively work to extreme domination by 1 partner. The implications of these results for the organization of tasks are discussed.