Title: A systemic approach to virtual collaboration: developing collaboration rooms for secondary education science teachers

Authors: Nikitas A. Assimakopoulos, Ioannis C. Theocharopoulos, Ioannis C. Benardis

Addresses: Department of Informatics, University of Piraeus, 80, Karaoli and Dimitriou St., GR-18534, Piraeus, Greece. ' Department of Informatics, University of Piraeus, 80, Karaoli and Dimitriou St., GR-18534, Piraeus, Greece. ' Department of Informatics, University of Piraeus, 80, Karaoli and Dimitriou St., GR-18534, Piraeus, Greece

Abstract: Virtual Educational Communities of Practice are new types of organisations that have been emerging as autonomous systems in Greek educational scheme. Initiated by technology champions who drive and administer their technological infrastructure, these Communities gradually create a new ICT culture based on informal learning conversations. In this paper, we attempt a systemic exegesis of these conversations by modelling them in a cybernetic context. We present a case study for the formation of a Virtual Community for science teachers for the third Educational District in Athens, Greece, where learning conversations are being conducted in specially developed thematic collaboration rooms.

Keywords: virtual communities; systemic multi-methodologies; systemic intervention; virtual collaboration; collaboration rooms; Greece; science teachers; science teaching; science education; secondary education; online communities; web based communities; informal learning; learning conversations; learning themes.

DOI: 10.1504/IJASS.2010.034113

International Journal of Applied Systemic Studies, 2010 Vol.3 No.2, pp.243 - 260

Published online: 12 Jul 2010 *

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