DeskTOP, a system based on virtual spaces to support and to promote collaborative learning (poster session)

provides a coordination mechanism to help to maintain an interaction order among the participants and to make it more efficient. The collaborative virtual environments have become a good alternative to construct collaborative learning systems. In this paper we present DeskTOP, a collaborative virtual environment implemented on the Web to support and to promote collaborative learning in university courses. This environment is designed mainly from the perspective of the desk and room metaphors. It makes use of design patterns in its architecture, promote the creation of customized collaborative learning environments and support a communication, collaboration and social interaction between lecturer and students through a shared virtual space. 2.2 Metaphors used in DeskTOP design The DeskTOP system uses the hall and collaboration rooms metaphors, as metaphors of place [3]; and the desk metaphor, as metaphor of interface [9]. The hall metaphor establishes a virtual environment which promotes public casual and informal interaction among its users. The collaboration rooms metaphor helps to represent shared environments within which the user can work in group. Through this metaphor, a common area is created for private interaction which provides users with working tools. Figure 2.1 represents the idea of these two metaphors.