Collaborative skills in language courses: how to support pupils?

The aim of this study is to examine how collaborative skills can be developed among secondary school pupils using digital tools (Word online, Adobe Spark Video) in the language classroom. Several types of data were collected: semi-structured interviews with teachers and learners, and observation of collaborative activities in the language classroom (video recordings, research log, observation notes, etc.). The case studies show different collaborative activities, which fall into three categories: coordination, articulation, and production. The analysis suggests that many factors can have an impact on collaboration between students, and this paper focuses on one in particular: digital tools. The findings revealed that digital tools can support collaboration if they meet the specific needs of the task (synchronous collaboration, asynchronous collaboration, or no collaboration) and its accessibility for the pupils (one tool for the group, one tool per student). Moreover, the analysis highlights the need to provide techno-pedagogical training (Stockwell & Hubbard, 2013) to the pupils so that they are able to use the tool efficiently in collaborative activities.

Synchronous collaborative 3D GIS with agent support

3D geographical information systems (GIS) software tools that support synchronous collaboration efforts among distributed decision-making participants can be very useful in many application areas, such as urban planning, engineering design, disaster and emergency management, and subsurface resources management. Although research has been extensively carried out in related fields such as groupware system, collaborative virtual environments and collaborative industrial design, a comprehensive study has not been found in the 3D GIS field. The scientific goal of this research is to add synchronous collaboration capability to the Internet-enabled 3D GIS environment. More specifically, the ojbective of this research is to investigate methods and key technologies to design a synchronous collaborative Internet-enabled 3D GIS environment (SC3DGIS). In this thesis, two basic questions for synchronous collaborative 3D GIS are presented: 1) What are the special functions and usability for SC3DGIS compared to traditional and mainstream GIS applications? 2) What are the special problems in design and development of SC3DGIS when considering it as a specific type of synchronous collaborative system? In answering the above two questions, a conceptual framework is developed to investigate main aspects which play core roles in reflecting the features of SC3DGIS. The more detailed system requirements are further analyzed through a case study. The prototype design adopts two layer structures - the shared 3D environment layer and the agent assistant layer. The shared 3D environment adopts a semi-replicated architecture, while in the agent assistant layer, a multi-agent method is used to solve the complex interactions between users and the shared understanding of all parties in the framework. Two walkthroughs are presented to validate the usability of the prototype. The results of this research indicate that 1) adding synchronous and collaborative capabilities to a 3D GIS environment can significantly improve the efficiency and satisfaction of decision-making for the geographically-distributed people; 2) the events transferring method and semi-replicated architecture are more suitable for synchronous collaborative 3D GIS than a display imagery transferring method and centralized architecture because of the highly interactive 3D contents; 3) a 3D data model for collaborative purposes require explicit data state presentations, such as color and style; 4) a social collaboration model and its ontology presentation and shared catching method keep the distributed system consistent and understandable; and 5) a multi-agent method sitting on a shared 3D view can be very helpful in assisting group users to carry out more complex communications, such as discussions and making deals.

A Framework Design for Collaborative GIS Applications: Based on Hybrid Architecture

Geographical information systems (GIS) software tools that support synchronous collaboration efforts among distributed decision-making participants can be very useful in many application areas, such as urban planning, engineering design, disaster and emergency response, and distant learning. However, most existing GIS tools do not provide adequate support for group interaction on decision-making and design scenarios. Early efforts on developing collaborative GIS tools have focused on collaborative geospatial information sharing and presentation in a group environment, mostly adapted to centralized client-server architecture for specific applications. This thesis presents the results of a research project, aiming at providing such GIS software tools over the Internet. Based on the analysis of two mainstream architectures used in collaborative applications: centralized architecture and replicated architecture, a hybrid architecture is selected to develop a collaborative GIS framework as the platform for prototyping the aforementioned GIS tools. The discussion focuses on synchronous collaboration where people interact with each other using the system at the same time from different places. The prototype system, called GeoLink, addresses some important design and development issues such as session management and floor control through a message sending approach.

Synchronous collaborative 3D GIS with agent support

3D geographical information systems (GIS) software tools that support synchronous collaboration efforts among distributed decision-making participants can be very useful in many application areas, such as urban planning, engineering design, disaster and emergency management, and subsurface resources management. Although research has been extensively carried out in related fields such as groupware system, collaborative virtual environments and collaborative industrial design, a comprehensive study has not been found in the 3D GIS field. The scientific goal of this research is to add synchronous collaboration capability to the Internet-enabled 3D GIS environment. More specifically, the ojbective of this research is to investigate methods and key technologies to design a synchronous collaborative Internet-enabled 3D GIS environment (SC3DGIS). In this thesis, two basic questions for synchronous collaborative 3D GIS are presented: 1) What are the special functions and usability for SC3DGIS compared to traditional and mainstream GIS applications? 2) What are the special problems in design and development of SC3DGIS when considering it as a specific type of synchronous collaborative system? In answering the above two questions, a conceptual framework is developed to investigate main aspects which play core roles in reflecting the features of SC3DGIS. The more detailed system requirements are further analyzed through a case study. The prototype design adopts two layer structures - the shared 3D environment layer and the agent assistant layer. The shared 3D environment adopts a semi-replicated architecture, while in the agent assistant layer, a multi-agent method is used to solve the complex interactions between users and the shared understanding of all parties in the framework. Two walkthroughs are presented to validate the usability of the prototype. The results of this research indicate that 1) adding synchronous and collaborative capabilities to a 3D GIS environment can significantly improve the efficiency and satisfaction of decision-making for the geographically-distributed people; 2) the events transferring method and semi-replicated architecture are more suitable for synchronous collaborative 3D GIS than a display imagery transferring method and centralized architecture because of the highly interactive 3D contents; 3) a 3D data model for collaborative purposes require explicit data state presentations, such as color and style; 4) a social collaboration model and its ontology presentation and shared catching method keep the distributed system consistent and understandable; and 5) a multi-agent method sitting on a shared 3D view can be very helpful in assisting group users to carry out more complex communications, such as discussions and making deals.

A Framework Design for Collaborative GIS Applications: Based on Hybrid Architecture

Geographical information systems (GIS) software tools that support synchronous collaboration efforts among distributed decision-making participants can be very useful in many application areas, such as urban planning, engineering design, disaster and emergency response, and distant learning. However, most existing GIS tools do not provide adequate support for group interaction on decision-making and design scenarios. Early efforts on developing collaborative GIS tools have focused on collaborative geospatial information sharing and presentation in a group environment, mostly adapted to centralized client-server architecture for specific applications. This thesis presents the results of a research project, aiming at providing such GIS software tools over the Internet. Based on the analysis of two mainstream architectures used in collaborative applications: centralized architecture and replicated architecture, a hybrid architecture is selected to develop a collaborative GIS framework as the platform for prototyping the aforementioned GIS tools. The discussion focuses on synchronous collaboration where people interact with each other using the system at the same time from different places. The prototype system, called GeoLink, addresses some important design and development issues such as session management and floor control through a message sending approach.

Synchronous neurology–primary care collaboration in a medical home

BackgroundSynchronous collaboration as defined by a simultaneous encounter between primary care providers (PCPs), patients, and neurologists may improve access to neurologic expertise, care value, and satisfaction of PCPs and patients. We examined a series of synchronous collaborations and report outcomes, PCP satisfaction, downstream utilization, and illustrative case examples.MethodsWithin an outpatient collaborative primary care–neurology care model, we implemented synchronous video consultations from a central hub to satellite clinics while increasing availability of synchronous telephone and face-to-face collaboration. PCP experience was assessed by a postcollaboration survey. Individual cases were summarized. Clinical and utilization outcomes were assessed by a neurologist immediately after and by follow-up chart review.ResultsA total of 58 total synchronous collaborations were performed: 30 by telephone (52%), 18 face to face (31%), and 10 by video (17%) over 27 clinic half-days. The most frequent outcomes as assessed by the neurologist were reassurance of the PCP (23/58; 40%) and patient (22/59; 38%), and the neurologist changed the treatment plan (23/58; 40%). A subsequent face-to-face consultation was completed in 15% (6/58) of patients initially assessed by telephone or video. Test utilization was avoided in 40% (23/58). Unintended utilization occurred 9% (5/58). Most PCPs were very satisfied with the ease of access, quality of care, and reported high likelihood of subsequent use. PCPs perceived similar or less time spent during synchronous vs asynchronous collaboration and neurologist usually altered the testing (87.8%) and treatment plan (95.2%).ConclusionsSynchronous collaboration between neurologists and PCPs may improve timely access to neurologic expertise, downstream utilization, and PCP satisfaction.