Computer-Supported collaborative learning

Although asynchronous conferencing software is also classified as a CSCW system, the level of sophistication of computer support for inter-personal collaboration in most of these systems is fairly limited. Asynchronous approach has been applied to distance education, but synchronous interactive approach is relatively new. Some attempts have been made for supporting synchronous groupware environments in CSCW research, for example, design of multi-editors, group decision support systems, co-ordination systems and desktop conferencing systems.

Some of the CSCW concepts which are relevant to design of environments for promoting and supporting collaborative learning are []:

shared environment

- set of objects where both the objects and actions performed are visible to all users

group window

- an instance of shared environment

view

- the user has the capability of creating partial views of the environment

role

- software supports specialist roles

activity support tools

- support the different activities which make the interaction

co-ordination tools

navigation tools