3is Learning objects: organization of knowledge through the capture of narrative structures

This paper presents a research project that aims to improve teaching and learning activities through the use of electronic tools for sharing of knowledge. The project, 3is ("trace"), is in progress at the University of Siena and is devoted to the design of new artefacts for the support of learning and teaching activities. The concepts inspiring the design process are Dialogical Knowledge Construction (DKC) and Situated Editing (SE). 3is facilitates these conceptual models through the capture, construction, and organization of narrative timeline structures. The 3is project seeks to construct an ever-growing, interrelated library of academic content that can trace the development of concepts and arguments over time and among various authors, both professors and students.