PerspectivesX: A Proposed Tool to Scaffold Collaborative Learning Activities within MOOCs

TL;DR

PerspectivesX is a tool designed to enhance collaborative learning in MOOCs by supporting multi-perspective activities, storing learner input in a searchable knowledge base, and enabling scalable feedback through NLP techniques.

Contribution

The paper introduces PerspectivesX, a novel tool that scaffolds collaborative activities, stores submissions for reuse, and integrates NLP for feedback in MOOC environments.

Findings

Design principles for collaborative learning tools identified

Prototype of PerspectivesX developed and evaluated

MOOC platform frameworks support PerspectivesX implementation

Abstract

In this work-in-progress paper, we introduce the PerspectivesX tool which aims to scaffold collaborative learning activities within MOOCs. The PerspectivesX tool has been designed to promote learner knowledge construction and curation for a range of multi-perspective elaboration techniques (e.g., SWOT analysis and Six Thinking Hats). The PerspectivesX tool is designed to store learner submissions in a searchable knowledge base which is able to be persisted across course re-runs and promotes the use of natural language processing techniques to allow course moderators to provide scalable feedback. In this paper we outline the design principles that structured collaborative learning tools need to adhere to, design a prototype tool (PerspectivesX) and evaluate whether MOOC platform extension frameworks are able to support the implementation of the tool.