This study reports findings from research conducted in collaboration with an urban public library.The study was designed to learn about the online information gathering and digital problem solving skills that adults possess to meet their personal, civic, social, and workforce goals.The paper examines the collaborative nature of problem solving as dyads and triads of adults were grouped together to solve digital problems using online resources.Though there are many definitions of digital skills, this work is grounded in descriptive research examining digital problem solving (Authors, 2017a).Digital problem solving involves the nimble use of skills, strategies, and mindsets to navigate online in everyday contexts and use novel resources, tools, and interfaces in efficient and flexible ways to accomplish personal and professional goals (Authors, 2017a).Findings reported in this paper address the nature of collaborative talk during digital problem solving and three interrelated categories of themes that emerged from a discourse analysis of dyads' and triads' discourse: 1) power, 2) relationships, and 3) participation.The themes that emerged under these categories offer a nuanced understanding of collaborative interactions during digital problem solving.Implications from this research suggest ways to design collaborative activities and support dialogic interaction among adult learners in formal adult education settings or informally in libraries and other settings where collaboration occurs.
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