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Abstract:

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe Beehive, a new web application framework for designing and supporting synchronous collaborative learning.

Design/methodology/approach – Our web engineering approach integrates educational design expertise into a technology for building tools for collaborative learning activities. Beehive simplifies the development of the collaboration tools required to implement proven educational design strategies. The methodology consists of a framework model that has three abstraction layers: pedagogical techniques, patterns, and computer supported collaborative learning components.

Findings – Building eLearning systems that are informed by the educational research in design patterns, can lead to a better, richer and more flexible, infrastructure. Beehive's design enables teachers to design and use synchronous collaborative learning activities, either by using well tested research-based learning designs or by creating their own.

Research limitations/implications – The system will need to be used by a large number of teachers and learners before evaluation and usability tests are possible.

Originality/value – The paper presents an integrated solution application that enables teachers and students to design and carry out synchronous collaborative learning activities in a very simple manner.

Keywords:

Computer applications, Internet, Learning

Article Type:

Technical paper

Article URL:

http://www.emeraldinsight.com/10.1108/10650740610674201

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