This is a commercial version of CSILE.  It is also a knowledge building environment that promotes deeper levels of understanding as learners interact with others who all contribute and build a knowledge database in a highly communicative and networked environment.  Learners are challenged to define problems, hypothesize, research, and collect information, all the while collaborating with other users (Knowledge Forum, n.d. ).  The structured nature of the environment encourages student interactions and inquiry.

This program is different from CSILE in that it incorporates advanced features of technology for promoting knowledge building in the classroom whereby all students are producers of knowledge.  Consistent with constructivist philosophy, students pose questions and have input into defining their individual learning goals. Instructors and educators provide scaffolds  that assist and guide students to encourage thinking strategies that maintains their interest and contribution to the growth of the database.  "Students contribute public notes, "build-on" to others' ideas, and "reference" the work of peers. The ongoing practice of these advanced operations, combined with teacher support and coaching, helps students acquire the sorts of learning strategies that characterize expert learners (Knowledge Forum, n.d.).
 

Related Links:

• Demonstration of Knowledge Forum: 
• Sample Download of Knowledge Forum 3:
• Some thoughts about WebQuests:

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