A Quest of Design Principles of Cognitive Artifacts through Case Analysis in e-Learning: A Learner-Centered Perspective

Learners are often posited in a paradoxical situation where they are not fully involved in decision making processes on how to learn, in designing their tools. Cognitive artifacts in e-learning are supposed to effectively support learner-centered e-learning. The purpose of the study is to analyze cases of cognitive artifacts and to inquire those design principles for facilitating the learner-centered e-learning. Four research questions are suggested: First, it will be analyzed the characteristics of learners with respect to design of cognitive artifacts for supporting the learner-centered e-learning. Second, characteristics of four cases to design cognitive artifacts in learner-centered e-learning environment are analyzed. Third, it will be suggested the appropriate design principles of cognitive artifacts to facilitating learner-centered learning in e-learning environment. Four cases of cognitive artifacts design in learner-centered e-learning was identified as follows: Wiki software as cognitive artifacts in computer-supported collaborative learning; 'Play Around Network (PAN)' as cognitive artifact to monitor learning activities in knowledge community; Knowledge Forum System (KFS) as a cognitive artifact in knowledge building; cognitive artifacts in Courses-as-seeds applied meta-design. Five design principles are concluded as follows: Promoting externalization of cognitive artifacts to private media; Helping learners to initiate their learning processes; Encouraging learners to make connections with other learners' knowledge building and their cognitive artifacts; Promoting monitoring of participants' contributions in collaborative knowledge building; Supporting learners to design their cognitive artifacts.