Rules and tools: collaborating over networks for art and design students

As the popularity of the Internet grows, the roles it may play in different contexts and disciplines - e.g. archive/library of information, publicity tool or meeting place - become more apparent. The JISC-funded Enhanced Collaboration with Shared Tools for Art and Design Systems project is based at Ravensbourne College and it is studying the potential of the Internet for supporting collaborative work between students in art and design. This paper gives an overview of results from the first stage of Enhanced Collaboration with Shared Tools for Art and Design Systems. This has involved doing some initial research into the experiences of those who have already been involved in such projects and the 'lessons learnt' from them and these experiences. The resulting guidelines are discussed here. A survey of existing tools for collaborative working and an overview of some of these is also provided; the tools are described in terms of whether they support 'real-time'or asynchronous communication and the degree to which they afford communication of ideas visually.