Exploring the fluctuations of synchronized physiological arousal in group awareness-supported collaborative writing *

Sharedness is an essential characteristic of successful collaboration. Group awareness, providing valid information about a learner’s group or its members, is helpful to build a shared perception of collaboration and foster sharedness. However, little research has investigated physiological sharedness in collaborative learning supported by group awareness. Therefore, the current study aims to explore the synchronized physiological arousal (SPA) in group awareness-supported collaborative learning. To achieve this goal, this study proposed a heart rate analysis platform and Challenge-social regulatory strategies group awareness tool (C-SRS tool). By implying them in a semester-long authentic English academic reading and writing course, this study found the overall proportion of SPA was higher in C-SRS groups, and this difference was more pronounced in the middle and late phases of collaboration. The findings of interview data provided further explanations for the differences as C-SRS tools effectively helped groups to identify and solve the challenges, thus supporting a consistent high engagement in C-SRS groups.