Sustainability and Scalability of CSCL Innovations

Abstract

CSCL innovations involve dynamic changes taking place at multiple levels within the complex educational ecosystem. Scaling of CSCL innovations needs to pay simultaneous attention to changes along several dimensions, including depth of change, sustainability, spread, and shifts of ownership, as well as evolution of the innovation over time. General models for scaling innovations do not take account of the role that technology may play. This chapter examines the sustainability and scalability of CSCL innovations including the role of technology in fostering sustainable and scalable innovation. We review a range of CSCL innovations that span in- and out-of-school settings to synthesize technology-enabled strategies that address scalability challenges at the classroom and education ecosystem levels. A set of design principles is identified to guide future research and practice to transform education through CSCL innovations.