Forming and Scaffolding Human Coalitions: A Framework and An Implementation For Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning Environment

Computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL) environments are used today as a platform for delivering distance education and as a tool to improve student understanding via collaborative learning methods. The success of a CSCL environment in improving the knowledge of a student depends on the quality of group work of its participants. However, forming human user groups that allow all the users collaborate effectively is difficult because of the dynamic nature of the human users and the complex interplay of human factors (e.g., comfort level, proficiency, etc.). Furthermore, human behaviors change over time due to their ability to learn new skills. Thus, a framework that accommodates the unique nature of human behavior and uses it to improve the outcome of the coalitions is needed. In this paper, we present iHUCOFS – a multiagent framework for forming and scaffolding human coalitions. We also discuss an implementation of the iHUCOFS framework (VALCAM) in a CSCL environment called I-MINDS. Preliminary results indicate that VALCAM can make a positive impact on the learner coalitions formed in I-MINDS.