Fragmented yet Seamless: System Integration for Supporting Cross-Context CSCL Scripts

Complex multistage pedagogical activities may address different planes (temporal, social, physical) by different pedagogical strategies. Since there is no comprehensive technological support for all possible pedagogical practices, activity phases may be supported by different technologies, adapted to the specific needs of the stage. As a result, the implementation of such activities would be technologically “fragmented” since data collected with one system will not be available for immediate use in another environment. The technological fragmentation may not only obstruct the enactment of such activities but even discourage teachers and prevent them from designing rich pedagogical experiences supported by different technologies. Therefore, in order to provide a seamless learning experience, there is a need to ensure continuous data flow between the activity phases enacted with different technologies. This chapter presents our ongoing efforts to cope with the challenge of integrating various TEL environments in order to support the design and implementation of cross-context, multistage collaborative activities.