Group awareness tools for learning: Current and future directions

Group awareness has become an important concept since it was introduced into the field of computer-supported collaborative learning. This paper discusses current trends and future directions in this research field. It is argued that the development and implementation of tools should be complemented by systematic explorations into the mechanisms that moderate the relationship between group awareness and learning. It is suggested that variations in tool design features are a starting point for furthering our understanding of the processes involved in group awareness. Based on the contributions in this special issue, eight areas for future empirical investigations are identified. The paper concludes with some theoretical considerations on the nature of group awareness. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.