Theoretical background

The principles of the development of iCampFolio reside on the advanced Activity Theory framework for distributed learning systems, the concept of affordances and soft ontology. iCampFolio enables evaluation and comparison of different systems and tools along different predefined perspectives as perceived affordances. The „softness“ of the iCampFolio is assured by the users of the iCampFolio who can rate the existing affordances based on their learning and teaching experiences, add their own perspectives as affordances and tools to the iCampFolio for the others to evaluate and use. This helps to calibrate the iCampFolio in terms of the affordance accuracy evoked by the certain learning activities, which are tied with the tools and systems. In this sense, the iCampFolio conveys the ideology of social software, becoming better in application.

In the current version of iCampFolio following affordances of TEL tools and systems as an open list are represented: searching for an artifact, creating and editing an artifact, group work with a text-based artifact, group work with a multimedia artifact, role negotiation/distribution while editing artifact, listening and viewing an artifact, interacting with an artifact, managing artifacts, making notes related to the artifact, individual time management, group time management, self-analysis and reflection, modifying the learning environment, testing, self-testing, taking a survey, assigning and managing tasks, submitting individual assignment, submiting group work, assessing a homework, creating/managing groups, finding group/learning partner, text-based group discussion, audio conversation, video conference, sending messages, role game, peer-evaluation, saving and monitoring activities, asking help and feedback.