Three validation trials of different foci and scales are implemented within the lifetime of the project. Whereas the First Trial (Trial-1; April 2006 to Jan 2007) was primarily exploratory, the Second Trial (Trial-2; April 2007 to Jan 2008) and the Third Trial (Trial-3; April 2008 to Sept 2008) are formative and summative evaluation, respectively. Specifically, in Trial-2 we aim to evaluate how the pedagogical challenge – Self-Directed Learning (SDL) – is to be tackled in authentic learning environments. In accomplishing a group project collaboratively on a selected topic, students will be required to create, reflect on and revise their Personal Learning Contracts (PLC) under negotiations with their facilitators and peers. One of the major aims of the activities of Trial-2 is to advance students’ SDL competencies, including their skills in deploying communication tools to collaborate in an online learning environments, their interaction skills with international and interdisciplinary partners, their autonomy to make relevant decisions when considering different resources available, etc. Indeed, all the participants involved in Trial-2 are expected to benefit from fruitful experiences of cross-cultural and interdisciplinary online collaborations, which are deemed increasingly prevalent in today’s world.

iCamp Trial2 commences in April 2007 with groundwork preparations, including facilitator recruitment, development of pedagogical scenarios and evaluation schemes, and selection as well as adaptation of technical tools. In September 2007, substantive preparation work proceeds, including student recruitment, assembling the trial tools selected, and formation of project groups. From November 2007 till end-Jan 2008, groups of students work collaboratively on selected project themes under the supervision of facilitators. Assessments of student perceptions and performances are conducted on a regular basis, and outcomes of individual projects are assessed towards the end of the trial period, i.e., early Feb 2008