Applying game design approach to build web-based collaborative tool with better social presence

The classical online collaboration tools use text as the main medium for communication. This limitation leaves users in an isolation sensation that can affect their performance and commitment. Modern videoconference tools can be used to ensure a better Social Presence and limit the effects of isolation. However, these tools need additional pieces of equipment and software. To guarantee the advantages of both categories, it is possible to follow a game design-inspired approach to a) maintain a high social presence, b) build a system that runs entirely inside the web browser. This paper aims to propose an architecture to respects when designing and building low cost and rich web-based collaborative tools. The architecture applicability, extensibility, and flexibility are demonstrated by a prototype of a shared, easy to integrate, and interactive whiteboard.