A COMPUTER-MEDIATED SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR PROJECT-BASED LEARNING

Project-based learning places demands on learners and instructors that challenge the traditional practices and support structures of schools . Learning from doing complex, challenging, and authentic projects req uires resourcefulness and planning by the student, new forms of knowle dge representation in school, expanded mechanisms for collaboration an d communication, and support for reflection and authentic assessment. This article describes a computer-mediated learning-support system des igned as a suite of integrated, internet-based client-server tools to provide (a) intelligent support both for the processes of doing a proj ect and for learning from doing a project, and (b) a shared dynamic kn owledge base for working and learning in a community supporting projec t-based education. The article describes the architecture of the syste m, its current state of development, and findings from an initial depl oyment. This articulation of the system components and findings can be nefit several groups. It can help (a) educators envisioning the role o f technology in augmenting authentic forms of learning, (b) developers of other support systems as they compare features and implications, a nd (c) researchers Its they frame questions about human-computer inter actions in learning systems.