Corroborating role theory and intelligent agents: a new paradigm to support collaborative learning?

This paper presents an approach to develop an agent-based tutoring system within a synchronous learning environment in order to support virtual communities of practice. This approach emphasizes helping and supporting geographically distributed learners to acquire and construct knowledge by doing shared learning activities and to perform spontaneous learning. This paper focuses on description of how to integrate role theory and agent technology in order to overcome one of collaborative virtual environments major issues: communication.