Web-based collaborative learning focused on the study of interaction and human communication

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore the interaction and human communication on a Web-Based Collaborative Learning Environment (WBCLE). WBCLE is an integrative, interactive and collaborative learning environment for web based courses. With optimized learning materials, WBCLE also provides interactive functions such as login, students' works upload the instructor's comment feedback, Real-time chat Room and discussion forum and provides collaborative functions such as group management, group collaborative learning, shared resources. Based on the investigations of web courses in WBCLE, the paper analyses the interactive and collaborative functions and web learning patterns, and the impact of human communication. Learning technology can not completely take place of instructor's supervision and communication with students. Strategies for collaborative learning and human communication can improve the educational effectiveness, and they include enhancing message flows among students and the instructor, creating communities in the course, and providing more interactive functions and supervision to the students. © Springer-Verlag 2004.