CSCL 2: Carrying Forward the Conversation is a thorough and up-to-date survey of recent developments in Computer Supported Collaborative Learning, one of the fastest growing areas of research in the learning sciences. A follow-up to CSCL: Theory and Practice of an Emerging Paradigm (1996), this volume both documents how the field has grown and fosters a meaningful discussion of how the research program might be advanced in substantive ways.

Recognizing the long-standing traditions of CSCL work in Europe and Japan, the editors sought to broaden and expand the conversation both geographically and topically. The 45 participating authors represent a range of disciplinary backgrounds, including anthropology, communication studies, computer science, education, psychology, and philosophy, and offer international perspectives on the field. For each chapter, the goal was not only to show how it connects to past and future work in CSCL, but also how it contributes to the interests of other research communities. Toward this end, the volume features a "conversational structure" consisting of target chapters, invited commentaries, and author responses. The commentaries on each chapter were solicited from a diverse collection of writers, including prominent scholars in anthropology of education, social studies of science, CSCW, argumentation, activity theory, language and social interaction, ecological psychology, and other areas.
The volume is divided into three sections:
*Part I explores four case studies of technology transfer involving CSILE, one of the most prominent CSCL projects.
*Part II focuses on empirical studies of learning in collaborative settings.
*Part III describes novel CSCL technologies and the theories underlying their design.

Historically, there has been a certain amount of controversy as to what the second "C" in CSCL should represent. The conventional meaning is "collaborative" but there are many C-words that can be seen as relevant. With the publication of this volume, "conversational" might be added to the list and, in this spirit, the book might be viewed as an invitation to join a conversation in progress and to carry it forward.

About the Author
Timothy Koschmann, Rogers P. Hall, Naomi Miyake

Reviews

"...an excellent example of a good means-end methodology....This approach gives a good overview of what educators, educational technologists and educational researchers are doing and is well in keeping with the ideas behind collaboration and knowledge construction."
-British Journal of Educational Technology

"The contribution of this book is manifold. 'CSCL 2' provides a crucial link between theory and practice, between innovation and theorizing, between work in CSCL and work in related disciplines. The book essentially delivers what the title promises in that it carries the conversation forward by providing a state of the art account and by advancing our understanding of CSCL."
-Mind, Culture and Activity

Book Information
ISBN 9780805835014
Author Timothy Koschmann
Format Paperback
Page Count 590
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Inc
Weight(grams) 1090g