Not all collaboration benefits from competition: Collaboration modes in a computational thinking game

Synthesis: This study investigated different collaboration modes and how they interact with competition to influence computational thinking learning, group metacognition and in-game behaviours. In a quasi-experimental 3x2 factorial design with 148 seventh-grade students, results revealed significant main effects of collaboration mode and an interaction effect between collaboration and competition. The cooperative group with competition achieved the highest CT outcomes, while competition undermined the collaborative turn-taking mode.

Key Findings

This study investigated different collaboration modes and how they interact with competition to influence computational thinking learning, group metacognition and in-game behaviours. In a quasi-experimental 3x2 factorial design with 148 seventh-grade students, results revealed significant main effects of collaboration mode and an interaction effect between collaboration and competition. The cooperative group with competition achieved the highest CT outcomes, while competition undermined the collaborative turn-taking mode.

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Citation## Citation

Chen, C.-H., & Huang, K. (2026). Not all collaboration benefits from competition: Collaboration modes in a computational thinking game. British Journal of Educational Technology.