Integrating Assessment in a CSCL Macro-Script Authoring Platform

Abstract

Collaborative learning entails the involvement and the cooperation of a group of persons with the purpose of learning. Collaborative learning scripts aim to orchestrate the complex interaction among group members while Computer Supported Collaborative Learning scripts (CSCL scripts) is the research field in which IT techniques are involved in the management of the aspects of such an interaction. This article presents assessment-related aspects of an existing CSCL script authoring and deployment platform called COSTLyP. Assessment, nowadays, is considered as a vital constituent of CSCL scripts since it may affect some of their necessary components and mechanisms. The outcome of the implementation of an assessment plan may determine what should be the next step in a collaboration activity or what actions should be undertaken to bridge the gap between the expected results and the achieved level of knowledge or expertise. At the same time, assessment can also verify the regulation level that is required within each group; consequently, these scripts should be flexibly designed in order to adapt their evolution to the real needs of the participants.