Asynchronous collaborative applications and systems have to deal with complexities associated with interaction nature, idiosyncrasy of groups and technical and administrative issues of real settings. Existing solutions address asynchronous collaboration via simplified and centralized models. In this paper we present LaCOLLA, a fully decentralized middleware for building collaborative applicatio...

This paper gives an overview of Internet Mapping and discusses its use for Geographical Mediation. Internet Mapping summarizes a variety of tools, ranging from geodata and map servers up to online Geographic Information Systems (GIS). First, a classification is proposed, according to the services offered and to the techniques used. Then, the requirements of Collaborative Spatial Decision-Making...

This dissertation addresses the combined use of asynchronous and synchronous communication in online computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL) and the relation with students’ motivation. Previously, online communication had been asynchronous and text-based. Technological developments have recently made it possible to support online learning processes by the use of rich synchronous commun...

Advances in communications and software technology are driving the Internet to become an open and distributed computing platform able to provide diversified services which can be ubiquitously accessed by many users. Electronic learning-oriented services are well suited to be supported by and delivered through the Internet. They are strategic for enabling virtual universities, enhancing the skil...

This paper discusses an educational philosophy and proposes a framework for structuring introductory courses in higher education. Two elements are central in the philosophy: First, the notion of a thematic module (TM) which is a unit for studying a limited subject matter or topic. Second, asynchronous learning networks (ALN), which is the use of computer mediated communication for time and plac...

This paper discusses an educational philosophy and proposes a framework for structuring introductory courses in higher education. The philosophy is rooted in a Scandinavian tradition of social settings. Two elements are central in the philosophy: First, the notion of a thematic module (TM) which is a unit for studying a limited subject matter or topic. Second, asynchronous learning networks (AL...

Asynchronous text-based communication has long been established as having value in supporting the collaborative sharing of knowledge. However, in cases where learners or practitioners are seeking to acquire skills applicable in real-world working contexts, this kind of technology proves to be insufficient. Asynchronous multimedia conferencing seems both suitable and sufficient for supporting su...

This paper investigates whether using variations in proximity choices can improve outcomes of distributed, asynchronous collaborative writing (CW) teams that work on the Internet. This paper reports preliminary results of a field experiment on asynchronous collaborative writing using 550 participants over a month and a half. It is found that groups that met face-to-face for convergence processe...