Collaborative Interactions in Support of Learning: Models, Metaphors and Management

Abstract

New electronic educational environments invite almost unlimited possibilities for interactive learning and collaboration in the digital university. However, to support quality education, learning activities need to be guided by principled models of interaction, guidelines for the design of user interfaces, and policies for the management of interaction and collaboration. In this chapter, a model of interaction among instructors, students, and educational material will be introduced to help define the types of collaborative interactions among instructors, among students, between instructors and students, and with materials. To further define learning activities, the structure of the human/computer interface will be discussed in terms of interface metaphors and a prototype system that provides tools for accessing materials, submitting assignments, asking questions and providing feedback, engaging in dialogue, and working on team projects. These metaphors and resulting systems add necessary structure, meaning, and limits to learning activities. Finally, both instructors and students need to manage the interaction by scheduling, organizing, and focusing activities. Policies may be implemented in the system to provide scheduled roll-out of materials and assignments, automatic filing and storage of materials, and deadlines and constraints on submissions. Illustrations and applications will be drawn from ten years of experience in the Teaching Theaters at the University of Maryland and other collaborative projects.