Making Distance Education Collaborative through Internet
Résumé
The research presented in this thesis is located within the concept of Computer Supported distributed Collaborative Learning (CSdCL). CSdCL, developed by Annita Fjuk and Lone Dirckinck-Holmfeld, is a focused study within the field Computer Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL). One approach to CSdCL, in particular practiced under the conditions of distance education, focuses on communication processes between distance learners and distance learners and teachers. The pedagogical model in this approach is based on an information-transmission paradigm of learning and communication, in such a way that individual production of texts and distribution of these for comments is emphasized. Another approach to CSdCL has its foundation in theory and practice from institution-based collaborative learning situations. The collaborative learning approach to CSdCL has its focus on collaborative processes among distance learners and distance learners and teachers. The approach to CSdCL studied in this research represents a third approach to the field of study, with roots in both approaches described above. The research has its area of study shared with the distance education tradition approach, and the theoretical foundation in common with the collaborative learning tradition. Technology for mediating collaborative activities among students is crucial in CSdCL situations. In order to design CSdCL environments of good pedagogical quality, it is important to have a clear understanding of the possibilities and limitations of the technology. Experience shows that the technology most widely used for mediation of collaborative activities in CSdCL situations is insufficient. Internet and Internet services are regarded as promising for replacing this technology. Based on this, the research presented in this thesis is focused in identifying the possibilities and limitations of Internet and Internet services in CSdCL situations. The main part of the exploration of the research question is carried out by designing a prototype of a CSdCL computer application by experimental systems development. (http://folk.uio.no/olaberg/thesis/dynamix.html)