Remote collaborative multi-user informal learning experiences: design and evaluation

Abstract

This paper presents a customizable system used to develop a collaborative multi-user problem solving game. It addresses the increasing demand for appealing informal learning experiences in museum-like settings. The system facilitates remote collaboration by allowing groups of learners to/ncommunicate through a videoconferencing system and by allowing them to simultaneously interact through a shared multi-touch interactive surface. A user study with 20 user groups indicates that the game facilitates collaboration between local and remote groups of learners. The videoconference and multitouch surface acted as communication channels, attracted students’ interest, facilitated engagement, and promoted inter- and intra-group collaboration—/nfavoring intra-group collaboration. Our findings suggest that augmenting/nvideoconferencing systems with a shared multitouch space offers new/npossibilities and scenarios for remote collaborative environments and collaborative learning.