Education at the University of Aizu is focussed upon computer science.
Besides being the subject matter of many courses, however, the
computer also plays a vital role in the educational process itself,
both in the distribution of instructional media, and in providing students
with valuable practical experience. All students have unlimited access
(24-hours-a-day) to individual networked workstations, most of which
are multimedia-capable (even video capture is possible in two exercise rooms).
Without software
and content tailored for computer-aided instruction, the hardware becomes an
expensive decoration. In any case, there is a need to better educate the
instructors and students in the use of the equipment.
In the interest of facilitating effective, collaborative use of network-based
computers in teaching, this article explores the impact that a network
environment can have on such activities. First, as a general overview, and
to examine the motivation for the use of a network environment in teaching,
this article reviews a range of different styles of collaboration. Then
the article shows what kind of tools are available for use, within the context
of what has come to be called Computer-Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW).
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: CAI, CAT, computer
education, collaborative work, CSCW, groupware