The intrinsic motivation that results from collaborative social networks to compete and contribute for the good of the group is viral. When groups are competitive, and individuals within those groups are rewarded by the group for contributions, super human results are often obtained (think ant colonies).
Not all of these activities will take place online, but the results of each activity need to be tracked by the leader and recorded in the system, in order to make them available to students, who use them to measure the net worth of each others efforts.
This is the appeal we need to genearate within collaborative learning systems. Project and task based group activites focused on common purpose, with feedback loops that encourage participation via competition. In addition to test scores, measurement of achievement needs to reflect the collaborators contribution to the group, and that feedback needs to be available in real time.
The user interface to enable this revolution is taking root in smart phones. Touch screen, texting, iPhone/Android, and netbook devices are greeted eagerly by excited students given the opportunity to interact directly with sophisticated systems. We are about to embark on a new phase in learning, as online collaboration goes mainstream.
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