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

到目前为止，我们已经设计了一个感应板，并建立了一个系统，以支持小组面对面学习环境问题。为了支持建设性的讨论，我们提出了一个由多个电路板组成的系统，每个电路板都通过计算机网络连接。在这个系统中，学习者设计城镇的每个棋盘都位于不同的地方，但实际上与其他棋盘相连：一个棋盘上的城镇设计会影响相邻的棋盘。学习者不仅需要通过面对面的讨论在自己的董事会上构建一个城镇，还需要通过聊天系统与其他小组进行协商，以确保其可持续性。在一所小学对该系统进行了评估。为了增强小学生的真实性，小学教师参与了系统的设计阶段。他们还设计了一个利用该系统的课程。评估结果表明，该系统能够将儿童的学习情境化，提高他们的学习动机和参与程度。

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.