Learner models for supporting awareness and collaboration in a CSCL environment

Abstract

In this paper we present our approach in learner modelling for CSCL environments. Learner models provide the information needed in order to support awareness and promote opportunities of effective collaboration and learning in a networked community of practice. The learner model is proposed as a set of beliefs hold by a software agent about the capabilities, commitments and learning goals of the learner. By exchanging their beliefs about the capabilities of their learners the software agents promote the creation of zones of proximal development in the learning group, by proposing tasks based on the group-based knowledge frontier of their learners, which represents the assistance and learning possibilities of the learner in a community of practice.