Computer-supported informal learning in an Electronic village of local interest

Abstract

We present an approach and a collection of tools, which advance a perspective on learning, informed by sociological theory of ‘group stabilization’ and ‘situated action-reflection’. The former serves as a theoretical guide to reach consensus on the stages involved in computer-mediated learning in the context of on-line engineering communities and accordingly to inform the design of suitable information technology tools. The latter helps to establish an analytical foundation of learning through performing. The tools described offer an integrated mechanism for continued activity-oriented learning which helps learners compile shared representations of engineering problems and artefacts, while maintaining their own individual work practices, tool of preference and pace of working. Such shared representations provide the common ground for learners to perform common tasks and accomplish the learning objective