From Response Systems to Distributed Systems for Enhanced Collaborative Learning

Innovators need a common, reusable framework for implementing patterns of collaborative learning on wireless handheld devices. Our project explores the application of an architecture from distributed system research, “tuple spaces,” to a wide variety of collaborative learning scenarios. We are testing this approach with documented scenarios from prior work published by our team and others. We are also designing new scenarios that leverage the architecture to engage learners optimally in cognitive, collaborative work. Our research explores the conceptual alignment, programming complexity, and classroom usability of this approach.