Formalizing CSCL Scripts with Logic and Constraints

Abstract

CSCL (Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning) scripts describe pedagogically effective practices for organizing the experiences of individuals when engaged in collaborative activities. This paper presents a new language named COSTLy for describing certain mechanisms of CSCL scripts, namely, group formation and task distribution. The expressiveness of the proposed language is demonstrated by describing jigsaw, a well-known CSCL script. The proposed descriptions are automatically transformed into constraint logic programs which can be executed so as to support group formation in actual scenario instances.