Interaction Analysis as a Multi-Support Approach of Social Computing for Learning, in the “Collaborative Era”: Lessons Learned by Using the DIAS System

Apparently computer technology is shifting its focus, with individual users not being the main target any more. The evolution of Web 2.0 technologies is promoting the development of services, suitable for the collaborative construction of electronic content. The Web seems to be gradually transforming into a multi-user platform, through which learning approaches, aligned with computer supported collaborative learning (CSCL), can be promoted into a new dimension. Under this scope, interaction analysis (IA) tools can be used to support different functionalities (e.g. awareness, regulation and evaluation of the collaborative processes by the participants themselves), based on the understanding of the social processes and the possibilities of intervention, in order to support and improve collaboration. In this paper we present our findings from using an asynchronous discussion platform with integrated IA tools for implementing learning activities, while trying to link those results with the new trends of the ldquocollaborative erardquo.