METAFUNCTIONS: Prototypes for Calculations in a Groupware Environment
📜 Abstract
In an educational setting, most groupware tools support either asynchronous or synchronous communication. However, to support project work, both modes of communication are needed. Furthermore, the integration of chat, whiteboard, and application sharing is not sufficient as many project tasks rely on calculations. The Metafunction concept provides a new, simple method to support project work. It allows users to specify prototype functions and calculations that can be used and shared in a groupware setting. The tools developed focus on the need for sharing and modifying calculations crucial for educational project collaboration.
✨ Summary
This paper introduces the concept of Metafunctions, which serves as a novel method to support educational project work within a groupware environment. The study, authored by Anne Grete Gruner, addresses the need for both asynchronous and synchronous communication modes in groupware tools, emphasizing the importance of integrated functionalities such as chat, whiteboard, and application sharing. However, the innovation lies in supporting calculations necessary for project collaboration. Metafunctions allow users to create and share prototype calculation functions, thus enhancing collaborative capabilities in educational settings.
The paper was published in October 1993 and has influenced subsequent research in areas such as computer-supported collaborative work (CSCW) and technology-enhanced learning. Although direct references to this specific paper are limited, the foundational concepts of collaborative calculations and prototype functions have been explored in later works focusing on enhancing groupware technologies and collaborative educational tools. This research is relevant in the context of ongoing developments in collaborative software solutions and educational technology platforms.