Flexible modeled collaborative learning system

Abstract

Many computer-supported collaborative learning systems and tools have been developed to facilitate individual and collaborative learning. However, there was a lack of principles on learning which could be applied on how these tools could be used effectively. The advantage of using computer in learning was limited. To improve, a learning model should be applied to the design and the use of the computer learning system. This system was designed by applying learn models Learning by Asking and Cycle of Inquiry, which was a inquiry learning model, in order to make learning processes effective and systematic. Asking questions would reflect what students have learnt, what students do not know, what students misunderstand and whether students get the important concepts. Teachers would then know the learning progress of students and adjust the teaching. Tools were implemented to facilitate collaborative learning. A chat room with dialog template would shorten the time spent on typing, and, help critical thinking and decision making. A drawing panel assists student expressing abstract ideas and contents difficult to be presented by text or speech. Slide show tool was also provided for students. Students could prepare PowerPoint slides and upload them to the system. During the collaborative learning process, they may present them to there group members. Based on the Cycle of Inquiry, the system gives opportunities for students to ask questions, answer questions, discuss and review. However, this system had Flexible Learning Model subsystem which made this system different from the others. This system provides a mechanism for teachers to organize learning steps in learning processes flexibly to fit different situation. Teachers could choose the learning steps they need and arrange the steps into a desirable order. Moreover, each of the steps would have some parameters for teachers to setup. By setting different values of the parameters, the learning models could deal with different learning situations. Teachers could also find out the best learning model to fit with certain circumstance by trying a various of learning processes combinations. The Flexible Learning Model in our system also left room for enhancement. With a special design of system architecture, new learning processes would be easily plug into the system. Ideally, this system could be an one-stop learning platform that all online learning could be carried out in our system.