Developing a technology of use for collaborative project-based learning

Abstract

We have designed and developed technologies to make it simpler for teachers and students to take educational advantage of the WWW for collaborative project-based learning. Recognizing that technologies alone are insufficient to effect educational change, we have also directed considerable effort toward working with teachers to construct principled understanding of what supports are required to make effective use of our technologies--a "technology of use." This paper describes the technology we have provided for teachers to support collaborative project-based learning, and through examples of one teacher's experiences with three Zebu projects we illustrate the needs and challenges in supporting more effective use. Building on what we have learned about supporting teachers in designing, planning, and implementing project structures that will support students in engaging in collaborative project-based learning, we have been working towards the design of a technology of use. This technology of use includes a representational scheme for helping teachers to portray, analyze, plan, design, share, and implement collaborative projects.