當學生在進行網路搜尋工作時，他們經常缺乏對解決其資訊問題適當的搜尋技巧和資料判斷能力，因此，如何協助學生們處理他們的網路搜尋工作，對資訊教學者而言一直是一項重要的研究議題。合作搜尋是近來被提出一種新的研究概念，希望透過人與人之間的合作活動來解決學生的網路資訊問題。其提供一個分享式的網路搜尋環境，讓學生們可以共同處理他們的搜尋工作，並透過在活動過程中的相互引導與相互學習，最終得以提升學生們的資料搜尋能力。 本研究發展了一套合作搜尋系統，並研究此一系統對於學生在解決其網路資訊問題時所產生的影響。實驗對象是一所位於台灣北部大學的學生。我們觀察了他們在日常的課堂活動中利用網路搜尋來解決其網路資訊問題的過程，並比較了在利用合作搜尋系統前後，對學生們搜尋行為所產生的差異性。 從實驗結果中我們發現合作搜尋系統似乎可以幫助學生們改善他們團體內部的資料搜尋流程、並促進他們的搜尋成果和降低在瀏覽搜尋結果時的負擔。許多參與實驗的學生指出利用合作搜尋系統便於他們管理及分享其在蒐尋過程中的資訊發現，並讓他們的搜尋過程更簡單且易於達成。在分析學生在網路搜尋過程中的歷史記錄後，我們也發現在合作搜尋的環境下，學生的搜尋技巧和資料判斷能力均有所提升，並有助於對資訊問題的解決。Earlier studies had shown that many students lack adequate search skills and evaluate information in an improper way when they solve information problems in the Internet. Therefore, how to develop an assistant method to help students in their web search activity becomes an emergent issue. Collaborative Search is a new idea that uses group collaboration to do this assistant job. It provides a sharing space in the Internet and allows people to solve their search problem together. Students can learn from each other and guide less experienced members through their searches. Their search ability can also be improved by exchange knowledge in those social activities. This study developed a Collaborative Search system and reported a case study of its influence on college students when they search in the Internet. The data was collected from a college school activity that students process Web search to solve their information problems in groups. The difference of search behaviors and process after involving the Collaborative Search is compared. Results showed that the proposed mechanism could benefit students’ group search processes, improve their search outcomes and reduce difficulty in information retrieval. Many students mentioned that their information process become easier and it is simple to maintain their information finding with collaboration. A measurement of students’ search histories also indicated that search skills and evaluation abilities of students were improved with a collaborative environment.
