Published at iLRN'16 1 (c) The University of Essex 2016 Virtual Observation Lenses for Assessing Online Collaborative Learning Environment Samah Felemban a,b , Michael Gardner a , Victor Callaghan a a University of Essex, Colchester, UK b Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia ssyfel@essex.ac.uk Abstract. The purpose of this paper is to introduce a new approach for assessing learning outcomes from collaborative work in 3D virtual environments. It represents a novel computational framework that improves recording and observing collaborative activities between students to evaluate learning outcomes. The framework includes a virtual observation model that maps observing learners in classrooms with observing and assessing the students in 3D spaces. This can be accomplished by applying a mechanism that combines natural agents and software agents to support collecting learning evidences from virtual activities and simulate the educators’ observation(s). Such a novel framework will solve issues that could develop from evaluating students’ performance, interaction, skill and knowledge in collaborative virtual learning environments. Keywords: E-learning; 3D Virtual Worlds; Assessment; Virtual Observation; Collaborative Learning; Learning Evidence; Software Agents; Human Agents. 1 Introduction The power of networks and computers has invented technologies that support learning and connect geographically dispersed learners to enhance learning experiences. Several educational technologies have been widely applied that connect scholars and educators to provide different types of activities and to access learning sessions remotely without requiring physical attendance. By using online environments, organizations could easily educate learners and support collaborative learning without offering physical place or hiring educators. Collaborative learning can help students to achieve learning through working with their peers, who support them to enhance their information and skills, resulting in constructing new knowledge and experiences. A great technology that enables virtual collaborative learning is the immersive environment, the 3D virtual worlds (3D