Supporting problem-based learning in groups in a net environment

Since 1996 the Communication Studies programme at Roskilde University (Denmark) has been offered as distance education. During the four years, we have improved our means to achieve a functioning CSCL pedagogy, developing from initially a somewhat naïve translation of face-to-face and group organized PBL to an online context, into a now rather reflected CSCL learning concept, with intensive facilitator/supervisor involvement. In this paper we seek to identify ways of supporting PBL in groups in a net environment. This exercise is based upon four years of continually refining the conversion of pedagogical principles from face-toface teaching at Roskilde University to Open University activities using WWW technology. In this process we have been looking for a software concept that could help implement our ideas by supporting students and teachers in their efforts. While smart technologies may make it easier to transfer messages of all kinds (including multimedia components) and to co-operate on distance, pedagogical insights and competencies cannot easily be Page 1 of 18 Supporting Problem-based Learning in Groups in a Net Environment 08-04-2005 http://akira.ruc.dk/~robin/pubs/CSCL99.html