A collaborative environment for new learning ecology and e-pedagogy

Abstract

Nowadays, we realize change in learning ecology by making progress in Internet technologies and advanced media. A learning ecology moves from individual learning to collaborative learning via the Internet. So we are urged to create a new e-pedagogy. This paper proposes and discusses functionality for collaborative learning, then discuss what e-pedagogy is, based on new learning ecology. In this discussion, we emphasize the re-use function of data logging occurring during a collaborative learning process. Moreover, we consider the educational meanings and methodology to explore essentials of collaborative learning. We introduce a platform for a collaborative learning environment called RAPSODY-EX (REX) that we have developed. The features and functions of this platform are described, and then we discuss the extendibility of the platform for a collaborative environment from the issue of e-pedagogy we propose. © 2005 by International Federation for Information Processing.