The participants worked in groups of two to nine around a theme they had chosen. Each group communicated in a conference of its own, discussing the theme and formulating assignments. There also were common places in the conferencing system for spontaneous discussions and mutual help between peers. We encouraged the participants to search for information and support from the World Wide Web and other sources on the Internet. Different groups have different understandings of similar places and similar concepts, and these will change over time.
Places have to be created, through practice and appropriation, to fit into the culture of the group.
In this critical phase of transition, the support of the teachers and the peers is of utmost importance. On the other hand, as soon as the initial difficulties are overcome, participants start to interact in new ways. They are creating the places for their teaching and learning. The creation is taking place through negotiations and definitions of common goals and practices. What is important, however, is that flexible strategies for collaborative learning are enhanced by the conferencing system.