A System for Supporting Collaborative Learning by Integrating Physical and Virtual Worlds

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We have so far devised a sensing board and constructed a system for supporting group learning about environmental problems in face-to-face situations. In order to support constructive discussions, we propose a system with multiple boards, each of which is linked through computer network. In this system, each board where learners design a town with physical pieces is located in different places but is virtually connected with other boards : design of a town on a board influences upon its neighboring boards. Learners not only have to construct a town on their own board through face-to-face discussions, but also negotiate with other groups through chat systems for their sustainability.Evaluations of the system were carried out in an elementary school. In order to enhance authenticity for school children, teachers of the elemenlary school joined the design phases of the system. They also designed a curriculum which utilize the system. The evaluations proved that the system could contextualize children's learning, and raise the level of their motivation and engagement.