Collaborative e-learning: Information Systems Research Directions

The boom in the application of information technologies to education and training, e-learning, underscores a fundamental need to understand how these technologies improve the learning process. Yet, very little Information Systems research is focusing on this issue. A review of education literature points out that learning strategies are shifting towards a more collaborative learning. In this paper, we articulate a theoretical lens for further research in collaborative e-learning. The main focus here is on understanding the structures involved due to a given learning strategy, interactions among structures, their appropriation as well as the impact of structures on learning outcomes. Three types of structures -collaborative, technology and learning task -are identified and interactions between them highlighted. We also outline key research issues within collaborative e-learning.