K-workspace system to support collaborative learning and knowledge building

Abstract

The K-Workspace System is a prototype web based system that provides workspace for the postgraduate students of Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology (FSCIT), University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur. The workspace enable students to work collaboratively with peers, maintain communication, combine effort in knowledge building and create joint submission on a given assignment. The proposed system incorporated insights from various theories of learning such as cognitive and social constructivism, collaborative learning and computer supported collaborative learning (CSCL). This quantitative research introduces K-Workspace System Framework and recognizes the opportunities for computer support in the learning process. A questionnaire was used as the instrument for survey as the data collection technique in this research to indentify the student’s perspective and attitudes toward collaborative learning and knowledge building. It was also used to identify the computer support tools that can be formed to facilitate students to work collaboratively and construct knowledge building while completing their assignments online. The finding of the data indicates that the student’s perspective and attitudes toward collaborative learning and knowledge building were positive. A sample prototype of the system was designed and discussed to adhere to the requirement of this research. Next, the K-Workspace System has been evaluated and all the essential contributions of this research were highlighted including future direction of this research.