Integrating CSCW in a cooperative learning environment to teach information systems

We describe an ongoing experiment in teaching information system concepts to students with no previous knowledge in the area. We have used for two years a Cooperative Learning Approach emphasizing ‘practice before theory’ and the classical waterfall information system life cycle. We are now enriching our approach by introducing Computer-Supported Collaborative Work technology to support collaborative asynchronous work as well as a new conceptual framework. Our experiments are continuously being monitored and assessed against our initial goals.