Conception and implementation of rich pedagogical scenarios through collaborative portal sites: clear focus and fuzzy edges

Abstract

Recent interest for rich activity-based pedagogies that originate in various socio-constructivist schools of thought is tied to the goal of creating deeper, more integrated and more applicable knowledge. We also want students become better general problem solvers and better group workers. Finally there is a pressure to make learning more interesting and even more fun. However, experiments made with learner-centered “new pedagogies” have shown that automatic results are not guaranteed. Good pedagogical design is crucial to their success. The efforts to make “new pedagogies” effective requires the use of structured scenarios where the teacher has to fulfill a triple role of facilitator, manager and “orchestrator”. In addition, learning should happen within a social space that provides intellectual and emotional support. Therefore, supporting technology, i.e. virtual learning environments, should be designed both as “scenario engine” and as true virtual space where participants have “presence”. Such systems can be implemented with Community, Content and Collaboration Management Systems (C3MS) that have been developed for collaborative portal sites. According to our experience, they allow us to create learning environments that provide a “clear focus” (learning activity support, management and scenario orchestration) but also necessary “fuzzy edges” (community support).