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KBE system

KBE

Current Definition

collaborative Knowledge-Building Environment (KBE)

A KBE is a virtual environment for the collaborative construction of knowledge.

Perhaps we can take WebCSILE as a paradigmatic example of a KBE. It is a software environment based on the theory of learning proposed by Marlene Scardamalia and Carl Bereiter. They argued that students should learn about, science, for instance, by engaging in activities similar to the research activities of communities of scientists. Furthermore, students should explicitly reflect upon the learning processes they are engaged in. Computer support should provide a communication medium in which the students can share ideas, discuss them and build upon them collaboratively.

WebCSILE can be characterized as incorporating the following characteristics, among others:

* The system provides computational support for collaboration.

* Students interact with a shared database of notes that they can add to through a computer interface.

* Threaded discussion functionality is included.

* A graphic interface allows for the development of a visual overview of the structure of notes.

* Searching and browsing functionality is provided.

* The system is used within a classroom structure that establishes goals for the research, expectations for on-line behavior, acceptable social practices and a system of rewards.

* The system incorporates features (e.g., link types) that encourage theory building activities, such as proposing theories, advancing arguments, providing supporting data.

* There are restrictions as to who can change the content or arrangement of existing notes.

* The system can be accessed over the Web.

There is a family of software systems developed at educational research labs and other institutions around the world that have family resemblances to WebCSILE; that is, they share many of its goals and characteristics, but also exploit important differences. For instance, they may not be intended for classroom science education. It may be important to develop a more definitive list of the goals and characteristics that a system should share in order to be considered a KBE for certain research purposes.

A KBE is a ubiquitous knowledge environment.

KBEs are likely to play an important role in the future because they render personal and shared ideas available everywhere there is a Web connection. In the 21st century, access to organized repositories of knowledge, to collaboration opportunities and to knowledge-building facilities generally will be essential. Knowledge is so complex that adequate access to it requires both collaboration with ever-changing groups of colleagues and computer support for the delivery, creation and organization of knowledge. The physical environment will increasingly incorporate Internet access and computer support embedded in furniture, cars and walls -- particularly in schools and research labs. KBEs will provide the software to make these connections effective forms of access to interactive sources of developing knowledge.

Author: Gerry

Last Edit Date: 9/22/99; 5:32:54 PM

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Related Terms in DynaGloss: Knowledge-Building Environment

Known Uses of KBE (All Entries in Dynasites that contain this term in double quotes)

• Re: Welcome to AgentSheets (in Sources)
  
• personal spaces for creating draft entries (in DynaSitesForum)
  
• Minutes of Seminar Meetings for Week #6 of Fall 1999 (in KBE)
  
• Minutes of Seminar Meetings for Week #5 of Fall 1999 (in KBE)
  
• Minutes of Seminar Meetings for Week #4 of Fall 1999 (in KBE)
  
• Re: Project Proposal from Scott and Jeff in Boulder (in KBE)
  
• A thesis chapter devoted to (collaborative) knowledge construction (in KBE)
  
• John Caron offers a definition of "KBE" (in KBE)
  

Related Sources

(Entries in Sources that have this term as a keyword)

• Eisenhower National Clearinghouse for Mathematics and Science Education
• Overcoming limits to learning in computer-based learning environments

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Annotations

• John Caron's definition of KBE on 9/8/99 (Clarification by John Caron (via Gerry Stahl), 9/8/99, 9/23/99; 10:23:14 AM)

  Since I will miss the next couple of classes, I wrote down my first fragments of thoughts on "what is a KBE".

  Gerry's definition (perhaps virtual is not needed): "A KBE is a virtual environment for the collaborative construction of knowledge."

  My thoughts on essential charactaristics of the "collaborative construction of knowledge":

  1. Creates something, real not only mental, that exists external to any of the participants. Call this thing it creates the Artifact. What follows describes the artifact as it's exposed to the participants in the KBE, not necessaily the "finished" artifact that may hide much of these details.

  2. The artifact is constructed by the participants, out of thin air or out of pre-existing parts. The value and qualities of the final artifact are more than the sum of the pre-existing parts.

  3. The construction is collaborative, with multiple participants interacting and influencing each other during the construction. The result is greater than the sum of the individual contributions.

  4. The construction is purposeful, effortful, creative, and the final artifact is intended to be useful and valuable for some definite purpose.

  So a KBE must provide: 1. a persistant storage medium external to any individual. 2. a definite form/representation of the artifact. 3. ways for participants to examine / manipulate / change the artifact. 4. ways for participants to agree/disagee/express ideas about the artifact 5. indications of the state of agreement/ disagreement / outstanding issues about the artifact.

  Possible other desirable features: 1. decision making support 2. structured (typed) discourse support 3. individual control over how to view the artifact 4. individual control over visibilitiy of information about the artifact. 5. individual ownership/control over (some aspects of) the individual's contributions. 6. summary / aggregation support

  Notes: 1. I think I'm trying for the most general description, not specific to a domain like education. However, I notice I have not excluded housebuilding. I have excluded collections of web links. What is "knowledge" anyway? 2. I ignore the obvious desirable features like "effort commensurate with value" etc. 3. The idea of "more than the sum of its parts" keeps coming up but I'm not saying what that means.

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