Overview

Collaborative learning in the real (not online) world is notoriously difficult to assess without disrupting the natural flow of interactions. In research labs at the technology frontier, a variety of sensors have been used to capture different dimensions of collaborative interactions. Some of these technologies are now affordable and small enough to bring out of the lab; measurement of real-world collaborative learning is becoming possible.

Understanding collaborative processes in an instrumented learning space calls on convergent expertise — from learning sciences, from psychology, from computer science and design. Recently, over a dozen interdisciplinary scholars participated in a CIRCL Working Group on Instrumented Learning Spaces at the NYU Tandon Makerspace in Brooklyn. Working in small groups, participants designed and prototyped a cup and saucer—one of which was made entirely out of food—in the Makerspace. Skeleton tracking, multi-channel audio, and radio-located positions were recorded throughout to produce a rich, multimodal dataset which will be annotated and made public. The dataset will become an open resource to advance the study of collaboration in instrumented learning space. Contact Yoav Bergner to learn more.

For more information, read the Workshop Report: Instrumented Learning Spaces [PDF]

Resources

Workshop Report: Instrumented Learning Spaces [PDF]

NYU Tandon Makerspace – a new, state-of-the-art, 10000 square foot space in Brooklyn.

NYU Holodeck – an immersive, collaborative, virtual/physical research environment.

CIRCL Primer: The Cutting Edge of Informal Learning: Makers, Mobile, and More!

Examples of NSF Cyberlearning projects that are on the theme of augmented/virtual/mixed Reality:

• CAREER: Wearable Tutors in the Embodied Mathematics Classroom
• Developing Computational Thinking by Creating Multi-player Physically Active Math Games
• Collaborative Research: Immersive Virtual Reality with Haptic Feedback to Improve Safety Hazard Recognition, Assessment, and Decision-Making Among Construction Professionals
• Exploring Social Learning in Collaborative Augmented Reality with Virtual Agents as Learning Companions
• EAGER: Mixed Reality for Improved Science Reading Comprehension

Organizers

This workshop was funded by CIRCL through its grant from the National Science Foundation. CIRCL is chartered by NSF to support the cyberlearning research community.

Organizing Committee

Yoav Bergner, New York University
Anne-Laure Fayard, New York University