Software Tool to Support the Improvement of the Collaborative Learning Process

Computer supported collaborative learning brings together the same characteristics and qualities of traditional learning, and includes benefits at the level of interaction and collective learning, as well as the inclusion of a motivating element associated with technology, which allows monitoring more detailed, incorporate an activities record, guide, evaluate and observe the process that is executing in a collaborative activity. However, one of its main problems are caused by a lack of software tools to guarantee effective collaboration, to support the monitoring and evaluation of the process in each of its phases (Pre-Process, Process and Post-Process), and provide a compendium of mechanisms that allow the execution of a collaborative activity and increase collaboration among participants. In this paper, the MEPAC (Monitoreo y Evaluacion del Proceso de Aprendizaje Colaborativo) software tool is presented to support the improvement of the collaborative learning process in each of its phases, through the integration of monitoring and evaluation. The evaluation of the MEPAC usefulness, applicability and complexity through a case study, allowed us to conclude that the development of collaborative learning activities is suitable, using monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, thus improving the collaboration between participants.