1995 Volume 18 Issue 1-2 Pages 17-24
The purpose of this study is to propose a technical and psychological framework of intelligent computer supported collaborative work/learning (Intelligent CSCW/L) which we call "iDCLE (intelligent distributed collaborative learning environment)." To realize this learning environment iDCLE, we constructed the real-time sharing communication system for collaborative work/learning on the computer network. We describe the mechanism for iDCLE which supports group learning intelligently in this paper. Each student can utilize two kinds of workspaces in iDCLE. One is called Personal Work Space in which a student can perform personal objectives individually using the various kinds of application softwares and tools in UNIX network environment. Another space is Collaborative Work Space where the various kinds of information are shared by all students. We embed the expert system which plays the role of a coordinator in order to support their discussion adaptively in iDCLE. In the case of group learning, students may understand, recognize and solve a problem more dynamically through discussion. So we contrive how to facilitate this discussion process to the desired direction. The system has the intelligent function by production rules reflecting intention-information in utterance occurred during group discussion. We represent the model of transition on dialogue states using intention-information to identify the state of group discussion and the participants' roles on the discussion process. In this paper, we describe the fundamental configuration of iDCLE, and discuss the mechanism of supporting discussion. The discussion support system in iDCLE can identify the state of discussion by tracing our model. The system can also diagnose the process of discussion for the purpose of making progress in the discussion using this model. If any advice is needed after diagnosing, the system gives appropriate advice to the participants.
