The metafora design principles for a collaborative, interoperable learning framework

Abstract

In this paper we present the Metafora project for the support of collaborative learning activities in larger problems of science and math topics. We will present the design principles that guided our technical development of an architecture supporting collaboration across different learning tools. Interoperability between the tools mediated by so called referable objects is described, as well as the design issues of awareness and visualisation for the learning groups. We demonstrate the flexibility of our designs and framework in giving example cases for the usage of the Metafora framework with different tools and educational scenarios. © Springer-Verlag 2013.