A Web-based Environment for Supporting Learning Communities in Distance Education – Use in Computer Science Education

In the context of this dissertation, issues related to design and development of educational environments that support collaborative learning and contribute to the active engagement of learners in knowledge building are studied. Specifically, the dissertation is placed in the context of supporting the learning process by utilizing the Internet and especially the Environments which support Electronic Learning Communities by leveraging social software technologies for access to information and knowledge creation. In the frame of this thesis the development of innovative techniques to support the creation, management, operation and interconnection of electronic communities was studied. A Web based educational environment CRICOS (CReate Interconnected COmmunitieS) was designed and implemented, based on the theory of learning communities and particularly communities of practice, which supports members of different communities in collaborative knowledge creation