The role of ontologies in collaborative systems

This paper deals with the role of ontologies in collaborative systems. The research field of collaborative systems and their support by information and communication technologies describes theory called CSCW (Computer Supported Cooperative Work). During last few years the CSCW has been evolving and extending, e.g. CSCL (Computer Supported Collaborative Learning) has emerged. With a well-defined ontology structure, CSCL can accumulate the knowledge representation of learning objects, including participant background, group information, instruction designs, learning activities and learning outcomes.