Mining learning groups' activities in Forum-type tools
Mining data produced by students involved in communication through forum-like tools can help revealing aspects of their communication. In this paper we propose an approach to the construction of models to highlight structural properties of learning groups based on a relational perspective (analysis of chains of references) and the use of Social Network Analysis techniques. These models can be useful both for the tutor and the participants. We begin by introducing the overall approach, then we de
First version of the awareness-support tool
This document reports on the awareness services offered through two tools developed in the context of the PALETTE project (Collaboration services), namely e-Logbook and CoPe_it! We first present the awareness types that need to be supported and we proceed by describing in detail how these are conceived and implemented in the abovementioned tools. Moreover, we briefly report on the integration of these tools, focusing on the additional awareness services resulting from this integration.,First ver
First operational version of the web-based tool supporting argumentative collaboration towards learn
This document reports on the first operational version of CoPe_it!, the web-based tool supporting argumentative collaboration towards learning, which is being developed in the context of the PALETTE project. We present the functionality of the tool, the basic concepts behind it, as well as the various views and projections available for the visualization of the argumentative process. Some first results from the use of the tool are also provided. We conclude with a set of new functionality items,
Une approche pro-pédagogique du diagnostic cognitif dans les STI: conception, formalisation, et imp
In an Intelligent Tutoring System (ITS), issues related to the design and the implementation of the cognitive diagnosis (DC) of learner's behavior is addressed intuitively according to the specific goals of this STI. From a purely operational viewpoint, this approach is not really bad since the STIs arising from it, "work". However, when it comes to give to DC a pedagogical dimension in the human tutors, a look into perspective on more fundamental considerations promotes reflection in this direc
Operationalizing macro-scripts in CSCL technological settings
This paper presents a conceptual analysis of the technological dimensions related to the operationalization of CSCL macro-scripts. CSCL scripts are activity models that aim at enhancing the probability knowledge generative interactions such as conflict resolution, explanation or mutual regulation occur during the collaboration process. We first recall basics about CSCL scripts and macro-scripts. Then, we propose an analysis of some core issues that must be made explicit and taken into account wh
E-Learning in (Austrian) Schools - Some Empirical Findings, Obstacles, Theses and Visions
Is E-Learning in Higher Education, the apparently cutting-edge place in applying and transformig the newest technologies in the educational field, already established and an indespensible part of teaching? The answer seems to be clearly Yes, subject to some contstraints which are immanent to all (educational) evolutions. But does this apply also to secondary education, where the approaches to establish E-Learning in schools are even more multifaceted, accompanied by top-down and bottom-up initia
Testing and Assessing Mathematical Skills by a Script Based System
Especially in the mathematical education there seems to be a need for strict drill and practice exercises. Such training cannot be met by traditional means. Therefore, a computer program is needed which generates parametrisable questions/problems which the students have to answer/solve and which at the same time assesses the answers/solutions of the students.
We designed such a system as an interface between the learning platform ILIAS and MATLAB/Maple as the symbolic mathematics engine. We dem
Introducing interactive whiteboards in the schools: an experience report
We report the findings of a project aimed at introducing Interactive Whiteboards in schools (both primary and secondary). We focussed on the early phases (installation, introduction, training, first use). We find that there are indeed problems that need to be tackled before one can hope to obtain the good results that are promised by the marketing hype.
Purpose and design of an ePortfolio
The focus of this contribution is the relationship between the purpose to use an ePortfolio and its design. By highlighting the relationship between purposes and design of an ePortfolio, we want to present a framework that gives directives to use an ePortfolio in an educational context. When used for lifelong learning and / or ‘assessment for learning’, student-ownership and reflection are important characteristics. When used for accreditation (=’assessment of learning’) the use of ‘standar
Information Technology Education in the Sri Lankan School System: Challenges and Perspectives
Introduction of Information Technology into the secondary school curriculum in Sri Lanka is a very recent development. The subject General Information Technology (GIT) was included for G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination in 2005 while plans are afoot to introduce Information Technology as a subject for G.C.E. Ordinary Level from 2008. Results of the first GIT examination held in 2005 clearly show poor performance by students. Considering the large amount of money spent for Information Technology e
Implementation Process of ePortfolio at FH JOANNEUM
This paper describes the design of Portfolio and its application at FH JOANNEUM in a range of contexts where it will be used to make learning outcomes visible and to facilitate personal development planning. The flexibility of the ePortfolio architecture is appraised and the integration with virtual learning environments is discussed. Preliminary findings from evaluation studies (feedback / data obtained from students, graduates and staff evaluations and discussions, and relevant points arising
Making online-courses more learner centred, more learner drivenand more social
This contribution focuses the question if is it possible at all to follow eLearning 2.0 paradigm using a state of the art learning management system or do we have to replace well established tools in order to advance eLearning. How can teachers develop their online courses regarding to eLearning 2.0 perceptions? During the last years the author tried to enhance her online courses to make them more learner centred, learner driven and social. Her substantial experiences are summarized.
The remote experiment position in actual taxonomy
Taxonomy is a classification effort for establishment of learning/teaching operational objectives. There are some famous taxonomies, BloomÂ’s being the most quoted. In spite of the fact that some researchers have tried to explain the position of elearning in already known taxonomies, this subject was not too much in the general attention. In the paper the authors intend to go deeply and to analyze the position of the new methodology-remote experiment-in the actual taxonomies. In addition they ha
Information technology in forming cognitive skills
In the authors opinions, the most important role of education process is forming developed cognitive skills, such as interdisciplinary critical thinking, problem solving, decision making, but enabling role of information technology in forming cognitive skills is not estimated enough. Accomplishing the investigation of the forming cognitive skills authors discovered similarity between study modules method and work with information.
Evaluation of educational software regarding its suitability to assist the laboratory teaching of el
The present research effort is aimed at investigating of studentsÂ’ perceptions relating to the criteria they themselves would choose in order to select amongst various similar software packages, with the aim of selecting the one most suitable to assist them in their study of electric circuits. For the purpose of the present study, software simulating electrical circuits was deliberately selected. This was precisely because electricity experiments are simple enough to be constructed in a school-
Interactive Collaborative Books
Books are one of the most important tools to convey knowledge, they survived to be a convenient and portable source of information. On the other side, Electronic books (e-books) are playing a big role in attracting a huge number of readers, but still paper books are preferable by many people due to some drawbacks in e-books. Yet, Interactive books combines all positive features in ordinary books as well as e-books, the author is introducing a new Interactive Collaborative book that might change
The role of animated pedagogical agents in scenario-based language e-learning: a case-study
Scenario-based language e-learning (SBeL) is focused on contextual learning, since it uses authentic activities that can improve communication skills. This paper reports a case-study that proposes the use of animated pedagogical agents (APAs) in a Brazilian Portuguese web-based course built under a mix of task- and scenario-based approaches. Its main purpose is to discuss how APAs can be used to improve studentsÂ’ communicative skills, cultural awareness and level of interaction with courseÂ’s c
Modelling the Requirements of an Animated Pedagogical Agent for a Web-Based Learning Environment thr
This paper describes and discusses the importance of having a representation which models the key factors associated to the requirements of an animated pedagogical agent for an interactive learning environment, in particularly, for school students. The IPO (Input-Process-Output) relationships are proposed to address this issue. The formulation of IPO relationship are described in detail and the application of IPO relationship is shown through the case study of specifying the requirements of an a
How users behave in a combined community/content environment
Currently, combined community/content environments gain increasing importance in different areas of life, ranging from private to educational to corporate contexts. However, since they are still a novel achievement it is not so clear how they should be organised in order to their successful operation. For gaining a deeper insight in what makes such an environment work, the authors systematically analysed two public environments by evaluating user data and an online questionnaire covering the fol
Building a Space of Cultural Heritage Objects to Explore It in the Classroom
Not only for further understanding of subjects but also for learning analytical thinking or inductive inference, it is important to provide a highly engageable environment where pupils can interact with high quality cultural contents easily. The authors have been developed an interactive exploring tool called CEAX Voyager. One of the important issues to make the learning with CEAX Voyager effective is to prepare adaptive descriptions for pupils.
This paper proposes a framework for supporting cre
