Remote collaborative multi-user informal learning experiences: Design and evaluation

Abstract

This paper presents a customizable system used to develop a collaborative multi-user problem solving game. It addresses the increasing demand for appealing informal learning experiences in museum-like settings. The system facilitates remote collaboration by allowing groups of learners to communicate through a videoconferencing system and by allowing them to simultaneously interact through a shared multi-touch interactive surface. A user study with 20 user groups indicates that the game facilitates collaboration between local and remote groups of learners. The videoconference and multi-touch surface acted as communication channels, attracted students' interest, facilitated engagement, and promoted inter- and intra-group collaboration-favoring intra-group collaboration. Our findings suggest that augmenting videoconferencing systems with a shared multi-touch space offers new possibilities and scenarios for remote collaborative environments and collaborative learning. © 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.