Collaborative Environment Architecture Proposal: A study of virtual environments for learning purposes in control engineering

This work presents studies towards an architecture for Computer Supported Collaborative Environments (CSCE) to aid education and training in the control engineering. The expansion of social networks, virtual environments and Web technologies such as Web 2.0 has shed the light on learning technologies. Employing virtual worlds as breeding grounds to create an infinite range of learning and didactical materials are becoming more and more common as educational institutions realize the hidden potential of this endeavor. Despite several efforts and various implementations there are few standardizations or studies of interoperation between most of the tools and technologies available for CSCEs. This study focuses directly on a reference model architecture undisclosed when developers implement their solution to this complex theme. Presented are the some relevant technologies available and a possible link scheme between then. Concepts like: remote experiments to enhance learning; autonomous tutoring; and collaboration awareness support; integrated to CSCEs are described. As results, case studies and a prototype are presented with each chosen technology discussed.

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