Learning from Web 2.0 practices: A tool to support real-time student collaboration

Tim Plaisted, Stuart Irvine
Teaching and Learning Support Services
Queensland University of Technology

This paper describes the conceptual design of a prototype tool, currently in development, that facilitates productive collaboration in a synchronous environment. The tool could be used to bring the benefits of a tutorial to lecture and online environments. The design and development is based on successful Web 2.0 practices, and its use is considered in terms of an interpretation of Laurillard's Conversational Framework.

The outcome of the development project is a generic tool that enables a shift of some facilitation activities from a learner-teacher mode of delivery to a learner-peer supported network. Suggested uses of this tool are discussed including tasks involving analysis, synthesis and evaluation. Finally methods to integrate the tool into assessment processes are presented.

Keywords: learning communities, collaborative learning