Designing Computer Supported Collaborative Learning Activities for Specific Contexts

This paper explores the design of computer supported collaborative learning activities. There is a need for methods to develop learning activities suitable for various domains. The context in focus here is workplace learning, specifically collaborative learning among mobile and distributed colleagues. The design method proposed builds on input from qualitative studies, organized learning activities and the possibilities of new technology. Scenarios are used to be able to evaluate and innovate learning activities. In this paper the use of learning activities (generally accumulated from research in a non-work context) is combined with qualitative studies to inform design of IT-supported workplace learning. When applying the method to a case of introducing a specific collaborative learning activity (multimedia scenarios) to a context of mobile and distributed workers, it proves useful.