Design and Implementation of Web-Based Cooperative Learning System Co-Net

This study investigated to designand implement web-based collaborative learning system Co-Net and map out students' learning procedure using the system, based upon Student Team Achievement Division (STAD Slavin, 1990, 1996). There are technical process and instructional considerations to be made during the design process. The former are those that concern equipment requirements and specifications and include Ease of Use, Speed of Access, and Flexibility. On the other hand, instructional considerationsare concerned with the delivery and access of instructional materials and their outcomes on learners. They are cooperative interactions within groups and group heterogeneity, learner control, group incentives, individual accountability, equal opportunity for earning high scores and contributing to group effort, task specialization, and competition among groups. A web site for a virtual learning environment designed and built by the authors and known as Co-Net is then explained along with the whole process learners inside the environment. The main page of Co-Net consists of 15 menus to implement cooperative learning process. The cooperative learning activities using 15 menus are composed of six phases (1) preparation of the new knowledge (2) presentation of the new knowledge (3) knowledge assimilation and application (4) team and individual evaluation (5) team and individual recognition Throughout the five phases, the appropriate use of cooperative learning techniques has been shown to have both academic and social benefits to learners.