University of Bochum IAW Research on collaborative Learning Environments as Socio-technical Systems at University of Bochum, Germany Interdisciplinary Center of Applied Work Science Information and Technology Management Thomas Herrmann VMT-CSCL Workshop At Philadelphia

2 Thomas Herrmann: Research on collaborative Learning Environments as Socio-technical Systems VMT- CSCL University of Bochum IAW of June, 04 The Collaborative Learning Environment K2 1.Based on a context-oriented model of human communication 2.Annotations serve as a means of communication and are embedded into the learning material which serves as context 3.A single statement – as every kind of items in K2 – can have multiple authors 4.Decisions can be negotiated by means of discussion support and voting 5.K2 is a follower of the system Kolumbus which was empirically investigated in real learning settings. 6.K2 supports a combination of Collaborative Learning and Knowledge Management

3 Thomas Herrmann: Research on collaborative Learning Environments as Socio-technical Systems VMT- CSCL University of Bochum IAW of June, 04 The socio-technical system approach For successful learning, the technical component of CSCL has to be combined with Organizational procedures Facilitation Training as preparation for using the system and for coordinating the learner interaction The procedure of collaborative learning and its coordination should be explicitly prepared in participatory workshops The results of the coordination preparation should be continuously kept present

4 Thomas Herrmann: Research on collaborative Learning Environments as Socio-technical Systems VMT- CSCL University of Bochum IAW of June, 04 Process models as representational Guidance The procedures for collaborative learning and usage of the technical environment can be represented as process models Process models can serve as representational guidance (not about what is learnt but how the interaction during learning takes place) Process models should serve as maps, not as scripts

5 Thomas Herrmann: Research on collaborative Learning Environments as Socio-technical Systems VMT- CSCL University of Bochum IAW of June, 04 Process model

6 Thomas Herrmann: Research on collaborative Learning Environments as Socio-technical Systems VMT- CSCL University of Bochum IAW of June, 04 Research Context Developing patterns for socio-technical systems Participatory Design: How can socio-technical walkthroughs be conducted? How can socio-technical systems develop sustainable descriptions of themselves? How can knowledge management systems be successfully introduced and knowledge integration be supported? How can different roles (such as facilitators) be supported in CSCL? How can self-directed and guided learning be integrated?