Phase transitions in a model for social learning via the Internet

Based on the concepts of educational psychology, sociology and statistical physics, a mathematical model for a new type of social learning process tha t takes place when individuals interact via the Internet is proposed and st udied. The noise of the interaction (misunderstandings, lack of well organi zed participative activities, etc.) dramatically restricts the number of in dividuals that can be efficiently in mutual contact and drives phase transi tions between "ordered states" such as the achievements of the individuals are satisfactory and "disordered states" with negligible achievements.