WebLabs investigated mathematical and scientific concepts in three knowledge domains: Numbers, Big numbers and Infinity, Kinematics and Dynamics, and Model Systems and Randomness. A further component was Tangibles: we built an interface with physical devices together with the set of sensors and actuators capable of instantiating a two-way mapping between experiments in the real and virtual worlds.

We built sets of Transparent Modules which can be combined and reused for the building of more complex functionalities; are shareable and adaptable to multiple grain sizes according to learner needs; are transparent (mechanisms can be easily inspected and modified) and employ multimedia and multimodal functionalities. These tools were built in ToonTalk, a state-of-the-art programming system where abstract computational concepts are represented by concrete animated analogues.

Students across European sites created, shared and modified web-based reports of their understandings of selected knowledge domains as they developed during work on the carefully designed educationally powerful activities that involved building and debugging models with sets of TMs. The webreports included working models along with multi-media descriptions, interpretations and reflections. Our WebReports collaboration system is available at www.weblabs.org.uk/wlplone/.