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Definitions

15 January, 2016 - 09:49

In the collaborative e- learning research literature, there is a broad acceptance of the meaning of CEL (Liang, 2010; Alfonseca et al., 2006; Kreijns et al. 2003; Dillenbourg, 1999). It has been defined as any kind of learning process performed by more than one person that takes place mainly in a Virtual Environment (VE). Another definition is that it is a situation in which two or more people learn or attempt to learn something together. While these definitions can be interpreted differently, the fact remains that they consist of three elements which define the space of what is encountered under the label “CEL”: a group of individuals; attempting to learn something; in an interactive joint manner with an element of “togetherness”.

As noted earlier, in order to provide e-learning services to the user, the components of the current systems of CEL can be divided up into three different tools: the document-focused web-based training tools; the meeting-focused tools; and the 3-D centered tools. We should keep in mind that several technology tools have accelerated the evolution of e-learning to a more collaborative and team-oriented mode. These tools include chat sessions, application sharing, virtual whiteboards, computer telephony, desktop videoconferencing, asynchronous communication, multi-user simulation environments, and audio graphics (Montoya et al.,2011; Alfonseca et al., 2006). Connections between all these essential elements point to the growing importance of collaboration, reflection, critical thinking, evaluation, and decision-making skills. Undoubtedly, as web technologies surge, skills in discovering, searching, integrating, filtering, and disseminating knowledge will gain more significance.