Collaboration Scaffolding in Computer-supported Collaborative Learning Environment

Supporting individual or group learners through designing effective learning environment has been major concern for instructional technologists. In CSCL environment, the effectiveness of learning depends not only on the design of the learning incidences but also on that of psychological environment because in CSCL the learners encounter virtually a new environment deviate from the ordinary physical world. CSCL is one of the most demanding environment for learners and thus it requires a highly refined learner support mechanisms. The purpose of the research was to devise conceptual tools for supporting learners in CSCL environment. Especially, the researchers tried to develop special kinds of scaffolding that directly support the collaborative practice in the social and psychological dimension of the learner. Body of literature on scaffolding has been reviewed and effective CSCL environments were observed and analyzed. As a result of the study, the research proposes a new type of scaffolding, named as "collaboration scaffolding" as a conceptual tool for supporting learners in CSCL environment. Also the research suggests three subtypes of scaffolds as the most typical collaboration scaffolding; emotional scaffolds, facilitative scaffolds, and exploratory scaffolds.