Collective and Informal Learning in the ViewpointS Interactive Medium

Abstract

Collective learning has been advocated to be at the source for innovation, particularly as serendipity seems historically to have been the driving force not only behind innovation, but also behind scientific discovery and artistic creation. Informal learning is well known to represent the most significant learning effects in humans, far better than its complement: formal learning with predefined objectives. We have designed an approach—ViewpointS—based on a digital medium—the ViewpointS Web Application—that enables and enhances the processes for sharing knowledge within a group and is equipped with metrics aimed at assessing collective and informal learning. In this article, we introduce by giving a brief state of the art about collective and informal learning, then outline our approach and medium, and finally, present and exploit a real-life experiment aimed at evaluating the ViewpointS approach and metrics.

Information, knowledge, and human learning for chemistry: the visionary contribution of Professor Alain Krief

“…To express the needs adequately, the following is a paragraph quoting remarks by Prof. Krief, founder of EnCOrE, which he made when addressing the E-LeGI consortium during its meeting in Brazil in 2004 [1,2] . The author highlights a few issues and phrases that he finds particularly valuable: "Currently, the information is only delivered flat according to a single point of view dictated by tradition of 'book organization' following the 'Johannes Gutenberg age' (ca.1400-1468).…”

“…In retrospect, this failure led us to revise our plans: Prof. Krief and the chemists were encouraged to investigate more deeply the tools, methods, and initiatives dedicated to human learning and dissemination of scientific knowledge, particularly in chemistry, while the informaticians started another project (ViewpointS) which continues (see, e.g., Refs. [2][3][4][5][6] ). This latter project is the best testimony of the influence of the experience we gathered previously working with Prof. Krief in EnCOrE.…”