On the Integration of Tangible Elements with Multi-touch Surfaces for the Collaborative Creation of Concept Maps

Collaborative creative work in small groups can significantly improve learning, particularly when supported by concept maps. Although useful in collaborative environments, most applications for the development of concept maps are designed for personal or small tablet computers, which can limit student communication in a team setting. In addition, the use of these applications usually requires training periods that may reduce the time allotted for regular learning activities. In this context, digital tabletops can effectively promote collaboration and face-to-face communication by providing a large horizontal interactive surface. However, despite its large size, a single tabletop cannot accommodate more than three or four students. Therefore, collaborative learning spaces and work groups with multiple devices become necessary. In such scenarios, the exchange of information between groups is critical. In this paper, we propose the use of tangibles, as a natural mechanism to exchange information by using a distributed collaborative concept map application.