Skip to main content

Ecolab: Exploring the Construction of a Learning Assistant

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS 1998)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNCS,volume 1452))

Included in the following conference series:

  • 1239 Accesses

Abstract

The Ecolab is an interactive learning environment constructed with the aim of providing a tool to investigate how software can offer help and support to an individual learner. The design framework is informed by Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) and previous work on face to face tutorial assistance. Three Ecolab versions implement different variations and combinations of design features with the purpose of providing a means of evaluating what constitutes effective assistance. The evaluation of the system illustrates that the differing qualities and quantities of collaborative assistance offered by the three system variations influenced both the child user’s learning gain and the nature of her interactions with the system. It also highlights the impact which each user’s ability and learning style has upon their experiences with an interactive learning environment.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Bliss, J., Askew, M. & Macrae, S. (1996). Effective teaching and learning: scaffolding revisited. Oxford Review of Education, 22(1), 37–61.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Guzdial, M., Kolodner., J., Hmelo, C., Narayanan, H., Carlson, D., Rappin, N., Hubscher, R., Turns, J., and Newstetter, W. (1996). Computer support for learning through complex problem solving. Communications of the ACM, 39(4), 43–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Jackson, S. L.,. Stratford, S. J., Krajcik, J. and Solloway, E. (1994). Making dynamic modeling accessible to precollege students. Interactive Learning Environments, 4(3), 233–257.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Luckin, R. (1997) ‘Ecolab’: Explorations in the zone of proximal adjustment. CSRP No. 496. School of Cognitive and Computing Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Mercer, N. (1995). The guided construction of knowledge: talk amongst teachers and learners Clevedon: Multilingual Matters Ltd.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Murphey, T. (1996). Proactive adjustment to the zone of proximal development (conference presentation). In the abstracts of the IInd Conference for Socio-Cultural Research 1896–1996. Geneva, September 11–15 1996.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: the development of higher psychological processes (M. Cole, V. John-Steiner, S. Scribner, E. Souberman, Trans.). Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Vygotsky, L. S. (1986). Thought and language. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Wood, D. J., Bruner, J. S. & Ross, G. (1976). The role of tutoring in problem solving. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 17(2), 89–100.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Wood, D., Shadbolt, N., Reichgelt, H., Wood, H. & Paskiewitz, T. (1992). EXPLAIN: Experiments in planning and instruction. Society for the Study of Artificial Intelligence and Simulation of Behaviour Quarterly Newsletter, 81, 13–16.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1998 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this paper

Cite this paper

Luckin, R. (1998). Ecolab: Exploring the Construction of a Learning Assistant. In: Goettl, B.P., Halff, H.M., Redfield, C.L., Shute, V.J. (eds) Intelligent Tutoring Systems. ITS 1998. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 1452. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-68716-5_36

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-68716-5_36

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-64770-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-68716-0

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics