Advances in Computer-Supported Learning

The Internet and growth of computer networks have eliminated geographic barriers, creating an environment where education can be brought to a student no matter where that student may be. The success of distance learning programs and the availability of many Web-supported applications and multimedia resources have increased the effectiveness of computer-supported learning. However, technology continues to grow and keeping up with the latest trends can be difficult. Advances in Computer-Supported Learning clarifies the new technologies, applications, and research in computer-supported learning. It helps students, teachers, and researchers gain a larger understanding of this field and the trends that are driving computer-supported learning forward. It shares the knowledge of international researchers in computer-supported learning, presenting the practices and challenges faced by designers. Readers of this book will gain an understanding of the current state of computer-supported learning and where it will be in the future.

Francisco Milton Mendes Neto holds a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the Federal University of Campina Grande, Brazil, for his work on knowledge management and computer-supported learning. In 1998, he joined the Superintendence of Corporate Systems of the Federal Service of Data Processing, where he is currently the manager of projects on computer-supported learning and learning communities for the Brazilian Federal Government. Dr. Mendes Neto is a member of the Brazilian Computing Society and the Brazilian Knowledge Management Society. Francisco Vilar Brasileiro earned his Ph.D. in computing science in 1995 from the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England, for his work on fail-controlled nodes and agreement protocols. In 1989, after a brief incursion in industry, he joined the Department of Systems and Computing of the Federal University of Para ba, Brazil, where he is currently a senior lecturer. Dr. Brasileiro is a member of the Brazilian Computing Society, the ACM, and the IEEE Computer Society.