Guiding knowledge communication in CSCL via group knowledge awareness

Computer-mediated collaboration is not in and of itself a beneficial setting for learning. Environments for computer-mediated collaboration need to trigger learning-productive interactions. In this paper, we propose to implement tools providing group knowledge awareness (GKA), i.e., information about collaborators’ knowledge. GKA is typically restricted in CSCL environments. A GKA tool visualizing self-assessed learner knowledge, their partner’s self-assessed knowledge, and thus the distribution of knowledge, was studied in a computer-mediated collaborative learning scenario. Thirty-eight dyads were randomly assigned to either the GKA condition (GKA tool) or a control condition (only learner’s own knowledge was visualized). Results show that the GKA tool guided learners in their collaboration and, more specifically, in designing their communicative acts. Depending on the self- vs. partner-oriented purpose of the communicative act, the learner’s own vs. the partner’s knowledge guided communication. Guided communication was a mechanism for perceived learning gains and perceived knowledge convergence. A knowledge test failed to reveal a significant difference between the GKA and the control condition. In this paper, we will discuss characteristics of GKA tools and their impact on collaboration.     

基于多代理的网络协作学习模型研究

多Agent技术在远程教育中的应用成为目前人工智能领域的研究热点。CSCL系统普遍存在智能化不足,交互性差的问题,据此结合Web技术和多Agent技术提出了一个新的基于多Agent的网络协作学习模型,给出了模型的体系结构,并对模型中几个主要的Agent的内部功能结构和同步协作过程进行了描述。     

Interaction between tool and talk: how instruction and tools support consensus building in collaborative inquiry-learning environments

The process of collaborative inquiry learning requires maintaining a mutual understanding of the task, along with reaching consensus on strategies, plans and domain knowledge. In this study, we explore how different supportive measures affect students' consensus-building process, based on a re-analysis of data from four studies. We distinguish between scaffolds that aim at supporting students' collaborative processes and scaffolds that aim primarily at supporting the inquiry learning process. The overall picture that emerges from the re-analysis is that integration-oriented consensus-building activities are facilitated by scaffolds that provide explicit instruction in rules for effective collaboration and by scaffolds that encourage students to collaboratively construct a representation. Scaffolds that display inter-individual differences between students' opinions resulted primarily in quick consensus-building activities.     

面向PAAS模式的CSCL系统设计与实现

云计算技术作为一种新兴的技术,能够提供海量信息的高速处理和安全存储,云计算技术的发展为CSCL系统的建设提供了新的思路。提出了一种面向PAAS模式的CSCL系统。该系统以微软Windows Azure云平台为依托、利用SQL Azure数据库进行数据存储,实现了异质群组、协同工作流等技术,是对云环境下构建CSCL系统的有益探索,此开发模式能减少开发和维护成本。试用表明,该CSCL系统能有效地支持协作学习的开展。     

基于描述逻辑的本体导航

计算机支持的协同学习系统经常采用知识导航模块,该模块的核心是本体库。许多本体库采用框架表示法,但框架表示语义不精确。该文提出了本体的描述逻辑表示和框架表示相结合,给出了描述逻辑表示的本体转化为框架本体表示的算法。     

The CSCL community in its first decade: development, continuity, connectivity

Ten years of international CSCL conferences (1995–2005) provide an occasion to reflect on the formation of the CSCL community. Based on quantitative analysis of conference proceedings, lists of participants and program committee members, and on qualitative study of policies and motives, this paper offers insights into the growth of the CSCL community in its first decade. The analysis focuses on participation at different levels of the community. In particular, focus is on the continuity of active and passive membership, the geographical distribution, and the international connectivity of the community. Contrary to expectations, only a relatively small number of people have participated continuously in the community. Concerning the geographical distribution, we found that the community is increasingly international in conference participation, authors, and program committees. The international connectivity of the community is also increasing, which can be seen in a growing number of citations and co-authorships across different countries. In order to interpret the results of our quantitative study, we conducted a qualitative, e-mail-based survey. In this survey we wanted to elaborate the policy of the conference organization, the reasons for international co-authorships and the motivations for participation in CSCL conferences. We contacted 84 members of different target groups (organizers, members of international co-authorships, and randomly selected participants on different levels of participation). The findings are suggestive for the further development of the CSCL community.