Goal-awareness and goal-adaptive information presentation to support collaborative learning in informal settings

This dissertation explores the use of adaptive technology for more goal-oriented learning in informal settings like museums or web sites. Visitors usually do not give priority to learning and knowledge building. It is assumed that information presentation should be adaptive and match visitor dyads' shared interests to enhance collaborative elaboration on presented information in these settings. During collaborative exploration of a site, awareness of shared goals and goal-oriented knowledge communication should further enhance learning. To address these questions two empirical studies are conducted. Exhibit information is presented adaptively to visitor dyads' shared interests during their visit to a virtual (study 1) and a real museum (study 2). Impact on visitors' conversation, behavior and learning can provide further perspectives for future research and provide deeper insights on collaborative knowledge processing and on design of technology in informal settings.