Abstract :
The Internet has recently been identified as a potential enabler of lifelong
learning. Web-based learning systems enable learners easily to access rich
resources and actively participate in learning activities without time and
distance limits. The main challenge in lifelong learning is providing the
opportunity for discussion and collaborative knowledge construction to engage
learners in acquiring and applying knowledge in the context of learning,
working and collaboration. Moreover, knowledge sharing is a key component
in the formation of communities of lifelong learners. Most online collaborative
learning communities use Web text-based discussion forums for knowledge
sharing. However, such discussion forums are separated from the context of
learning activities. Furthermore, the facilitation of beneficial dialogue through
discussion forums, requires the involvement of mentors as facilitators. This
study proposes an e-book interface that enables learners easily to annotate or
enter queries in a text in which questions arise, where a query context is
transferred to a discussion forum. The subsequent anchors of questions are
linked to a discussion forum for actuating sustained participation. A mentor
finder recommends a collaborative peer based on learner knowledge level to
answer the questions. Learners can also use mobile phones to access this
ubiquitous discussion forum using voice/text anytime and anywhere. The
experimental results showed a clear increase in the level of discussions, and
most learners indicated that they benefited considerably from collaborative
mentor support in an e-book learning context through the provision of a
ubiquitous discussion forum.
