A Design of Collaborative Learning in Terms of Supporting Emergent Division of Labor

In this paper, we describe an aspect of collaboration—emergent division of labor—wherein people interactively and contingently organize, maintain, and reorganize the division of labor. The emergent division of labor involves the following characteristics: (1) Emergence of division of labor, (2) Maintenance of division of labor, and (3) Reorganization of division of labor. The authors have claimed that supporting emergent division of labor is a key issue in order to make collaborative learning successful. If this claim is on the right track, then supporting emergent division of labor can be a helpful design principle for developing a Computer Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) system. Hence, the authors propose the following prerequisites required for a CSCL system in order to support emergent division of labor: (1) Awareness of the state of one’s own task in progress, (2) Awareness of the state of others’ tasks in progress, and (3) Awareness of others’ awareness of the state of one’s own task in progress. As examples of the CSCL system design based on this principle, the authors present two ongoing projects pertaining to development of CSCL systems: a collaborative concept mapping tool termed as “KneadingBoard” and a project-based learning management tool termed as “ProjectBoard.” KeadingBoard is intended for synchronous use, and its purpose is to help cross-pollination and the wrap-up of ideas for a small group, while “ProjectBoard” is intended for asynchronous use, and its purpose is to assist collaboration between distant students who are involved in project-based learning. Outlines of KneadingBoard and ProjectBoard are introduced in terms of the design principle based on the concept of emergent division of labor.