Meaning and Interpretation in Collaboration

Abstract

Because collaborative learning takes place through processes of shared meaning-making, CSCL must be concerned with the nature of meaning and social meaning-making practices. Philosophic analysis suggests that meanings are necessarily shared; they persist in linguistic and physical artifacts in our culture and situation. However, these meanings must be interpreted by individuals. There is a dynamic relationship between shared meanings and individual interpretations: In order to engage in collaborative activities, people must come to recognize meanings of artifacts, and interpret these meanings from their own perspectives. The interplay between meaning and interpretation has implications for CSCL research methodology and for CSCL technology design.