University of Bochum

IAW

Research on collaborative Learning Environments as Socio-technical Systems

atUniversity of Bochum, Germany

Interdisciplinary Center of Applied Work Science

Information and Technology Management

Thomas Herrmann

VMT-CSCL Workshop At Philadelphia

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Thomas Herrmann: Research on collaborative Learning Environments as Socio-technical Systems

VMT-CSCL

University of Bochum

IAW9. -11. ofJune, 04

The Collaborative Learning Environment K2

1. Based on a context-oriented model of human communication

2. Annotations serve as a means of communication and are embedded into the learning material which serves as context

3. A single statement – as every kind of items in K2 – can have multiple authors

4. Decisions can be negotiated by means of discussion support and voting

5. K2 is a follower of the system Kolumbus which was empirically investigated in real learning settings.

6. K2 supports a combination of Collaborative Learning and Knowledge Management

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Thomas Herrmann: Research on collaborative Learning Environments as Socio-technical Systems

VMT-CSCL

University of Bochum

IAW9. -11. ofJune, 04

The socio-technical system approach

• For successful learning, the technical component of CSCL has to be combined with• Organizational procedures• Facilitation• Training as preparation for using the system and

for coordinating the learner interaction• The procedure of collaborative learning and its

coordination should be explicitly prepared in participatory workshops

• The results of the coordination preparation should be continuously kept present

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Thomas Herrmann: Research on collaborative Learning Environments as Socio-technical Systems

VMT-CSCL

University of Bochum

IAW9. -11. ofJune, 04

Process models as representational Guidance

• The procedures for collaborative learning and usage of the technical environment can be represented as process models

• Process models can serve as representational guidance (not about what is learnt but how the interaction during learning takes place)

• Process models should serve as maps, not as scripts

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Thomas Herrmann: Research on collaborative Learning Environments as Socio-technical Systems

VMT-CSCL

University of Bochum

IAW9. -11. ofJune, 04

Process model

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Thomas Herrmann: Research on collaborative Learning Environments as Socio-technical Systems

VMT-CSCL

University of Bochum

IAW9. -11. ofJune, 04

Research Context

• Developing patterns for socio-technical systems • Participatory Design: How can socio-technical

walkthroughs be conducted?• How can socio-technical systems develop sustainable

descriptions of themselves?• How can knowledge management systems be

successfully introduced and knowledge integration be supported?

• How can different roles (such as facilitators) be supported in CSCL?

• How can self-directed and guided learning be integrated?