A Web-Based Collaborative e-Learning Environment Based on a Model of Social Cognitive Development Theories

Abstract

Putting all powerful Web technologies like Cloud Computing and Web 2.0 technologies together in an e-learning environment maximizes the opportunity for learners to acquire knowledge and skills in an interactive, collaborative and social manner and decreases technical efforts and financial burdens on educational institutions. This research proposes a collaborative e-learning model that consists of six levels and six tasks based on four social cognitive development theories which are: Connectivism, Social Cognitive Development, Social Interdependence and Cognitive Elaboration Perspectives. The proposed collaborative e-learning model levels are: Networking, Contribution, Cognitive Disequilibrium, Origination of Social Interaction, Knowledge Evolving, and Cognitive Equilibrium. The tasks of the proposed collaborative e-learning model are: Knowledge Feeding, Knowledge Self-Reflection, Knowledge Negotiation, Knowledge Elaboration, Knowledge Accommodation and Knowledge Shifting. A rich Web-based collaborative e-learning environment called ShareSpace is developed as a realization of the proposed collaborative e-learning model. ShareSpace is evaluated based on the proposed collaborative e-learning model, on a framework for evaluating computer supported collaborative learning and on an adaptable usability heuristic checklist for online courses. ShareSpace is an interactive and flexible social collaborative e-learning environment which can be utilized by educational institutes and contributes to the overall goal of learning process which is maximizing the learning outcome.