The Synthesis Lab: Empowering Collaborative Learning in Higher Education through Knowledge Synthesis

Abstract: The ability to synthesize information has emerged as a critical skill for success across various fields. However, within the field of education, there is a lack of systematic understanding and well-defined design infrastructures that address the mechanisms and processes of knowledge synthesis in collaborative learning settings. In this poster, we introduce a design innovation - The Synthesis Lab, which aims to support students in synthesizing ideas from their online discussions in higher education classrooms. The tool offers structured work-spaces for students to decompose the synthesis process into intermediate synthesis products and features two key iterative processes of knowledge synthesis in collaborative settings: categorizing peers' ideas into conceptual building blocks and developing a synthesis of the discussions. Future implementation and evaluation of the design will make significant contributions to both research and practice.