Assisting construction of meta-cognitive competence by scaffolding discovery of plans in problem-solving

Abstract

In our collaborative environment for learning by problem-solving, whose implementation so far will be briefly described, we provide the learners with an environment in which they edit plans for solving given problems by selecting and connecting problem types provided by the system. In the problem types, on which we first discuss, context-dependent plans consisting of problem types are embedded. The learners should recursively edit plans. Embedded plans, however, are provided, when they get deadlock. A library of sample problems are also provided so as to be examined by the learners to learn what are and how are used the plans and the problem types in concern. Finally we propose, as learning control to realize construction of meta-cognitive competence, to make use of the library of sample problems with solution to scaffold discovering plans for the problem given to the learners, through retrieving and providing pertinent sample problems using, as indices, the problem types and plans as well as annotations for bridging problem types or plans. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2005.