Dynamic grouping of learners in a computer- supported collaborative practical works system

Abstract

Practical works for informatics students are an assured step to consolidate the theoretical concepts acquired during the educational activities. These practical works allow learners to deepen knowledge in a particular area through the development of the Internet. In this paper, we present a computer-supported collaborative practical works system for the “computer science” specialty, called TPCOLinfo. The designed system allows students to carry out practical works in groups and at distance. These groups are constituted dynamically according to a new grouping method based on the results of pre-tests done by learners before doing a particular new practical work. TPCOLinfo allows to increase the skills of students in “computer science” because the proposed grouping method aiming at creating dynamically groups having a homogeneous level. In other words, the system allows students to work in groups formed for learners with additional cognitive profiles and better interact with each other to achieve collaborative tasks. This system has been tested by students of a computer science department where we achieved very good results.