Development of collaborative learning support system using a shared whiteboard

The authors have developed a shared whiteboard system for collaborative learning on the Internet. The system enables learners to make diagrams of the discussion with nodes and arcs. They can put their statements and graphics on the diagrams to represent thoughts more easily. In addition, the record of operations of the shared whiteboard system helps the learners grasp the flow of the discussion. The learners can review discussion log for reflection. The log in the form of HTML is automatically generated along with the record of operations in the discussion. The result of evaluation experiments shows that it predisposes learners to explain their thought with diagrams and makes them understand the flow of the discussion.