Introducing China: Expanding the CSCL research community

Abstract

This symposium brings together some of the leading CSCL researchers from China with the purpose of introducing them to the wider CSCL community. China has a strong recent history of CSCL research, but has yet to make real connections to the Western research literature. In part, this is due to the language barrier, but China also holds distinct research traditions, methodological perspectives, and epistemological perspectives about the purpose of scholarly research. We will begin with an overview of CSCL research in China, followed by introductions from six of the leading Chinese researchers, each providing a short summary of their work, including: (1) theoretical perspective, (2) research methods (3) technology infrastructure, and (4) findings and future research interests. Next, we will discuss the future of Chinese CSCL research and its role within the wider community, as well as opportunities for collaboration and exchange.