Abstract

This paper presents the design and implementation of a learning design, online, collaborative and Digital Storytelling (DS) environment, realized within the context of open source Learning Activity Management Systems (LAMS; Dalziel, 2003). For the design of this environment, an innovative description of the Jigsaw collaboration method (Aronson, 1971) was taken into account in combination with DS. The design of this environment is described through special reference to the implementation of a specific example for the learning of essential issues of Environmental Education (EE). Diverse environmental issues related to the entity of water are addressed through online collaborative DS, namely: (a) mythology and traditional issues about water, to connect Past-Present, excite students’ fantasy and contribute to their mythological, analogical and global thinking, (b) the water cycle, to extend student knowledge about natural water sources, (c) basic uses of water in the past and present to enhance students’ environmental sensitivity, and (d) problems about water at local, and global levels, and the impact of pollution and reduction of water on humans and societies, to contribute to the environmental awareness and responsibility of students.