The term is traditionally used to describes online environments where two or more participants work collaboratively to accomplish a shared goal. Collaborative environments are created using a range of computer and communications tools including instant messaging and chat-rooms, discussion databases, mobile communicators, shared whiteboards, media spaces and audio, video or web conferencing tools. While the term collaborative environments has been restrictively used for virtual or online spaces, it bears relevance for real, non-virtual, spaces that facilitate co-creative practices among different participants to achieve a common goal.
