Collaborative Learning Design within Open Source E-Learning Systems - E-Infrastructures and Technologies for Lifelong Learning - page 214

Chapter 8
Collaborative Learning
Design within Open Source
E-Learning Systems:
Lessons Learned from an Empirical Study
Maria Kordaki
Patras University, Greece
Haris Siempos
Patras University, Greece
Thanasis Daradoumis
Open University of Catalonia, Spain
ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses a number of serious 'collaborative learning design' problems faced by adults
within the context of e-learning systems and outlines some innovative solutions. Specifically, thirty-three
Computer Science students at the Hellenic Open University participated in an experiment aimed at de-
signing collaborative learning courses for Computer Science concepts within MOODLE, a well known
open source Learning Management System. The systematic study presented in this chapter argues and
specifies that these Prospective Computer Science Professionals (PCSPs) have serious difficulties with
the formation of both collaborative learning activities and collaboration procedures, and with realizing
them within e-learning settings. The proposed solutions emphasize the design and development of a set
of computer-based collaborative patterns reflecting diverse collaboration methods. These patterns are
content free and could be used as scaffolding elements for the design of collaborative learning activities
for online and blended courses. Specific examples of possible implementation of these patterns within
well-known Web-based open source environments that support learning design are also presented.