Social Learning Within Electronic Environments

Abstract

Within both educational institutions and the workplace, there are strong imperatives for learning to take place within an identifiably’ social’ context, characterised by interactivity between learners and teachers, and between learners and their peers. Not only is this accepted as good pedagogical practice, but it is also important in situating learning within the type of cooperative, collaborative problem-solving environment characteristic of most contemporary workplaces. At the same time, online learning is becoming an increasingly important educational option for students at all stages of life. This paper explores some of the issues relating to how appropriate social modes of learning can be achieved within electronic environments, including consideration of the current and future roles of socially interactive software agents.