As a sequel to an earlier collection on CSCL theory and research, this work serves to "carry forward the conversation", both in terms of content and structure. Most of the 12 chapters forming the core of the book originated as presentations at CSCL '97. Recognizing the long-standing traditions of CSCL work in Europe and Japan, the editors sought to expand the conversation geographically, as well as topically. For each chapter, the goal was not to only show how the chapter connects to past and future work in CSCL, but also to show how it contributes to the interests of other research communities. To do so, the editors solicited commentaries on each of the chapters from a diverse collection of writers. Their inclusion was intended to enrich the conversation by alerting the authors to relevant work going on outside of the CSCL community and at the same time, introducing the commentary authors to the contributions emerging from research in CSCL.