This article reports on research, which is based on the premise that the main aim of teaching is to provide appropriate feedback to students as they learn. Human tutors make this process easier by asking students what they are thinking about a topic, then relate the answer to this stage or context of their learning. Hence, the first Computer Supported Learning systems were based on a tutorial question-answer format. Since then research has branched out into Learner Modelling and Intelligent Agents to support learning in more open systems. This article looks at computers emulating mentors who analyse the student's documented activities to provide feedback. The activities are analysed using a methodology that looks at the Human-Computer-Human Interface, and a pattern structure is developed, which is based on an ontology of group learning. Agents are designed and implemented using this structure to analyse synchronous and asynchronous group learning processes and to provide feedback. The ontology used in this research is based on the structure provided by Activity Theory where technology plays the role of mediator in the context of student actions.

The use of the classical development lifecycle model is inadequate for multi-media development as it is based on a user tool-use goal whereas educational multi-media applications have a knowledge-transference goal. In this paper, the goals mentioned are explored further to reveal why it has such a bearing on the classical lifecycle model. As a solution, an alternative lifecycle model is proposed to address the shortcomings of the classical model.