Computer-Supported Intentional Learning Environments by Kevin McDonald

 Computer-Supported Intentional Learning Environments

by Kevin McDonald 

 CSILE Profile

       Computer-Supported Intentional Learning Environments (CSILE) is a computer-based, student created database of information inspired by Marlene Scardamalia and Carl Bereiter. (Tenebaum, 2014)  The basis of CSILE is the use of “knowledge building,” which is essentially the idea of students in a class collaborating and creating a technological community based around the knowledge of a certain subject matter. (Scardamalia, 2004, p. 1)  Students working in CSILE create blog-like “nodes” on a subject matter, which then can be accessed by other students in the class to comment and collaborate on. (Computer-Supported Intentional Learning Environments (CSILE))  In general, the main idea behind CSILE is for students to generate user created databases, granting students the independence over their learning in a way that allows students to communicate and blend ideas to form a highly informative, media rich, and well researched learning environment. (Scardamalia, 2004, p. 2)  

       CSILE has many features that provide students the opportunity to be creative and insightful with their learning experience of a subject.  These features include: (Scardamalia, 2004, p. 4)

• The nodes are not simple written notes on a white background.  They are filled with pictures and other multimedia to engage the learner and fellow students.

• Students are given the chance to provide their perspective on their fellow student's nodes.

• Keywords can be assigned to the nodes in order for students to search and find material in the database.

• Nodes can be created either by a single student or as a group that all has access.  This allows students the chance to view what their peers are contributing, and add more to it in order to maintain a constant building of knowledge.

Family Tree of CSILE

        CSILE is a type of instructional model that takes much influence from the ideas of constructivism/interpretivism learning theory.  Constructivist forms of learning puts an emphasis on building new knowledge through social interaction, as students collaborate and reflect on their new found knowledge and what it means to them, eventually creating more complex ideas of a subject rather than learning a set base of facts. (Harasim, 2012, p. 60)  CSILE uses the ideas instilled by Lev Vygotsky, a key figure in the development of constructivism learning theory.  Vygotsky believed in the idea of “social constructivism,” as students create their own interpretation of new material through a blend of their personal ideas and the ideas put forth from student-to-student collaboration. (Harasim, 2012, p. 60)

        The key characteristics of constructivism that is included in the realm of CSILE is active learning and collaboration.  Active learning encourages students to learn new information through more complex and multimedia advanced ways, rather than a typical lecture. (Harasim, 2012, p. 69)  CSILE provides students the chance to formulate their own ideas and understanding about a topic or problem formulated by the teacher, which is then posted to a database and collaborated on by the whole class.  The student collaboration process of CSILE is crucial, as it develops an environment where students can express their feelings towards their peer's nodes and create a debate-like forum where ideas have the opportunity to become more and more complex. (Harasim, 2012, p. 72)

Practical Examples of CSILE

        A great example of CSILE at work is the utilization of the DIG Project at Hawthorne Elementary School in Oakland, CA.  The idea behind the project is to allow groups of students to create their own civilization based on a selected culture or theme.  Students utilized images to provide examples of symbols and artifacts associated with the culture.  The groups commented on their peer's nodes, allowing students to make connections or new ideas to their own project. (DIG Project)  The DIG Project link provides a more detailed account of the project and its results. The DIG Project

        The following video provides a clear overview of how CSILE can be utilized in the classroom.  The example given is a database on the Human Body where students post their theories on how the human body works, then comment and link quotes from the other nodes in the Human Body database. All About CSILE and Knowledge Forum

References:

Harasim, L. (2012). Learning theory and online technologies. New York, NY: Routledge.

[Image]. Retrieved from http://www.ceser.hyogo-u.ac.jp/naritas/canada98/images/csile5.jpg

[KBIACSILE's channel]. (2012, January 10) All about CSILE and knowledge forum

[Video file]. Retrieved from http://youtu.be/4okhQxhmIt4

Scardamalia, M. (2004). CSILE/Knowledge Forum®. In education and technology:

An encyclopedia (pp. 183-192). Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO. Retrieved from http://ikit.org/fulltext/CSILE_KF.pdf
 

Tenebaum, Bonnie. (2014) Computer-supported intentional learning environments (CSILE). 
K-12 Internet Resource Center. Retrieved from http://www.k12irc.org/r/student/resources/online/computer.php


U.S. Department of Education. Dig project. Retrieved from https://www2.ed.gov/pubs/EdReformStudies/EdTech/dig.html

U.S. Department of Education. Computer-supported intentional learning environments (CSILE). Retrieved from https://www2.ed.gov/pubs/EdReformStudies/EdTech/csile.html