Points of cooperation: Integrating cooperative learning into web-based courses

State-of-the-art web-based courses are limited in supporting cooperative forms of learning. In this paper we introduce the concept "Point of Cooperation (PoC)" which covers a wide range of cooperative learning activities in a networked learning environment. With respect to the extent to which a cooperative activity is incorporated into a course we differentiate between generic (GPoC), spontaneous (SPoC), and intended (IPoC) Points of Cooperation. The PoC concept is discussed with respect to the Berlin model of didactics and compared with traditional web-based learning environments. We outline how PoCs are integrated into a course from the author's point-of-view. Furthermore, we describe how PoCs are handled during the actual learning process, including the management of PoCs for each learner, the execution of PoCs, the formation of learning groups, the integration of communication and cooperation tools, and the management of the cooperation’s results. Finally, we describe the project "L3: Lifelong learning as a basic need", a German federally funded project which serves as a use case for the PoC approach.

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