Web-CCAT: a Collaborative Learning Environment for Geographically Distributed Information Technology Students and Working Professionals

This paper describes the underlying concepts, architecture, and design of a Web-enabled CyberCollaboratory (Web-CCAT) for geographically distributed information systems students and working professionals. The primary objectives for Web-CCAT are (1) to provide the opportunity to participate in and enjoy the benefits of cooperative learning without having to coordinate meeting times or come to campus; and (2) to provide a more technologically enriched collaborative environment than is possible in a traditional face-to-face classroom. To meet these objectives, multi-user, collaborative software tools and procedures were designed for use in the asynchronous mode of communication. Web-CCAT is implemented as a tool kit of commercially available applications coupled with software developed at the University of Illinois at Springfield. The system became operational in January 1999.

[1]  Richard T. Watson,et al.  Computer augmented teamwork - a guided tour , 1992 .

[2]  Andrew B. Whinston,et al.  Creating a collaboratory in cyberspace: Theoretical foundation and an implementation , 1995, J. Organ. Comput..

[3]  Maryam Alavi,et al.  Computer-Mediated Collaborative Learning: An Empirical Evaluation , 1994, MIS Q..

[4]  Starr Roxanne Hiltz,et al.  The Virtual Classroom: Learning Without Limits Via Computer Networks , 1994 .

[5]  Starr Roxanne Hiltz,et al.  Teaching in a Virtual Classroom , 1995 .

[6]  Starr Roxanne Hiltz,et al.  From Virtual Classroom to Hypermedia Virtual Classroom , 1996 .

[7]  Ernest L. Boyer,et al.  Toward School-College Collaboration. , 1987 .

[8]  Janet K. Yates,et al.  Computerized construction delay management system , 1996 .

[9]  Iris Vessey,et al.  CASE tools as collaborative support technologies , 1995, CACM.

[10]  James Martin,et al.  Structured Techniques: The Basis for Case , 1988 .

[11]  Sirkka L. Jarvenpaa,et al.  The Use of Information Technology to Enhance Management School Education: A Theoretical View , 1995, MIS Q..

[12]  Daniel W. Robert.  Creating an Environment for Project Success , 1997, Inf. Syst. Manag..

[13]  Murray Turoff,et al.  The TEIES design and objectives: computer mediated communications and tailorability , 1989, [1989] Proceedings of the Twenty-Second Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences. Volume III: Decision Support and Knowledge Based Systems Track.

[14]  Ann L. Brown,et al.  Guided, Cooperative Learning and Individual Knowledge Acquisition , 2018, Knowing, Learning, and Instruction.

[15]  J. Smith,et al.  A nonsimultaneous computer conference as a component of group decision support systems , 1989, [1989] Proceedings of the Twenty-Second Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences. Volume III: Decision Support and Knowledge Based Systems Track.

[16]  Juhani Iivari,et al.  Why are CASE tools not used? , 1996, CACM.

[17]  Murray Turoff.  Designing a Virtual Classroom , 1995 .

[18]  Gerardine DeSanctis,et al.  A foundation for the study of group decision support systems , 1987 .

[19]  Joseph S. Valacich,et al.  Using IT to Reengineer Business Education: An Exploratory Investigation of Collaborative Telelearning , 1995, MIS Q..

[20]  Michael E. Holmes,et al.  Distributed group support systems: Social dynamics and design dilemmas , 1991 .

[21]  J. William Semich.  You mean NT can't really run Windows? , 1994 .

[22]  Richard J. Wagner.  Enhancing Teaching Effectiveness Using Experiential Techniques: Model Development and Empirical Evaluation. , 1992 .

[23]  S. R. Hiltz,et al.  Distributed group support: The effects of voting Tools on group perceptions of media richness , 1995 .

[24]  L. Vygotsky.  Mind in Society: The Development of Higher Psychological Processes: Harvard University Press , 1978 .

[25]  Rassule Hadidi,et al.  Development and implementation of a Web-enabled CyberCollaboratory for Asynchronous Teams (Web-CCAT) , 1998, Proceedings of the Thirty-First Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences.

[26]  Marshall Scott,et al.  Microlevel Structuration in Computer-Supported Group Decision Making , 1992 .

[27]  D. Bligh.  What's the Use of Lectures? , 1971 .

[28]  Starr Roxanne Hiltz,et al.  Distributed group support: a preliminary analysis of the effects of the use of voting tools and sequential procedures , 1994, 1994 Proceedings of the Twenty-Seventh Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences.

[29]  L. Richard Hoffman,et al.  Applying Experimental Research on Group Problem Solving to Organizations , 1979 .

[30]  Alan Chmura,et al.  Point/Counterpoint: What's the Proper Role for CASE Tools? , 1995, IEEE Softw..