Summary
This project belongs to a field referred to as 'computer-supported collaborative learning' (CSCL). The focus of research in this field is the study of collaborative interactions and ways to influence them by the definition of a collaboration scripts and by the provision of realtime feedback through group mirrors. In parallel with the increasing interest of learning sciences for the social nature of learning, computer science evolved towards more physical interactions between the users and the tools. Information technology is not anymore bound to desktop or laptop computers. To cite only few developments, tangible interfaces allow for interaction with a computer through physical objects and augmented reality allows superimposing digital information on top of the physical environment. The main research question addresses the integration of these pedagogical technological aspects: which physical artifacts can be introduced in the apprentices’ workplaces in order to support collaborative interactions with other apprentices and tutors without interfering with their work and with social interactions occurring locally (with colleagues, with the boss,…). More specifically: How should these tools look like? How do these tools integrate into workplaces? How do apprentices use them? Do they change their work practices? What are the tools’ effects on collaborative learning? Our research methods start with intensive qualitative studies in the field of logistics training (detailed analyses of small samples) and move to extensive quantitative studies (experimental comparison of groups in contrasted conditions). Applications to other domains than logistics will be investigated as well.
