Designing and Supporting Collaborative Modelling Activities in the Classroom
Over the last ten years, we have observed an increasing interest of the “computers in education” and other related research communities in supporting not only individual learners but also learning groups. The most prominent scenarios in this line of research and development have certainly been centred around virtual learning groups using computerised communication and cooperation facilities. From a technology point of view, the focus of this work has been on synchronous and asynchronous inform
Analysis Methods for Collaborative Models and Activities
A classification of analysis methods for CSCL systems is presented which uses as one dimension the distinction into summary analysis and structural analysis and as another distinction different types of raw data: either user actions or state descriptions. The Cool Modes environment for collaborative modeling enables us to explore the whole spectrum of analysis methods. Action logging is based on the MatchMaker communication server underlying Cool Modes. Example instances for several analysis met
The Remote Control Approach – An Architecture for Tutoring in Pre-existing Collaborative Applicatio
In this paper we present an architecture for the integration of tutoring and process scaffolds into existing collaborative applications. The architecture allows to combine existing research results concerning collaborative processes and their formalization, and existing and tested collaborative learning environments. The architecture allows controlling the learning environments either by a human or a pedagogic agent. Both types of tutors are using the same set of primitives – either via an intu
“Graphical” Jogthrough: expert based methodology for user interface evaluation, applied in the cas
“Walkthrough” and “Jogthrough” techniques are well known expert based methodologies for the evaluation of user interface design. In this paper we describe the use of “Graphical” Jogthrough method for evaluating the interface design of the Network Simulator, an educational simulation program that enables users to virtually build a computer network, install hardware and software components, make the necessary settings and test the functionality of the network. Graphical Jogthrough is a furth
Directions to Acknowledge LearnersÂ’ Self-organization in CSCL Macro-scripts
In this article we present a conceptual analysis of the notion of learnersÂ’ self-organization in CSCL macro-scripts. We highlight that taking into account self-organization as an emergent feature of activity requires considering issues such as conceptual and technological tools to support learnersÂ’ self-organization, maintenance of coherence between the script pedagogical objective and the emergent organization and between the technological setting and the emergent activity.
Gridcole: a tailorable grid service based system that supports scripted collaborative learning
This paper introduces Gridcole, a new system that can be easily tailored by educators in order to support the realization of scripted collaborative learning situations. To do so, educators can provide a script specifying the sequence of activities to be performed by learners as well as the tools and documents required to support them. Gridcole can then search for these tools in a service-oriented grid in order to integrate them so that they are available for users during the realization of the s
Cognitive tools for discovery learning
Cognitive tools, defined here as instruments that support or perform cognitive processes for learners in order to support learning, can bridge the difference between open learning environments, like discovery learning environments and traditional supportive instructional environments. This article discusses a definition of the concept of cognitive tool and its use in learning. Two examples of cognitive tools for discovery environments are presented, and it is made clear how these tools can serve
Supporting Effective and Useful Web-based Distance Learning
Learners interacting in a Web-based distance learning environment produce a variety of information elements during their participation; these information elements usually have a complex structure and semantics, which makes it rather difficult to find out the behavioral attitudes and profiles of the users involved. User modelling in on-line distance learning is an important research field focusing on two important aspects: describing and predicting studentsÂ’ actions and intentions as well as ada
KMsim: A Meta-Modelling Approach and Environment for Creating Process-Oriented Knowledge Management
This paper presents a new approach to modelling process-oriented knowledge management (KM) and describes a simulation environment (called
KMSIM) that embodies the approach. Since the beginning of modelling researchers have been looking for better and novel ways to model systems and to use appropriate software to create simulations. The application of the approach and KMSIM make it possible to create realistic business models (BMs) and simulate the consequences of KM interventions and events. The
E-learning environments in medical education: how pervasive computing can influence the educational
As pervasive computing is integrated incrementally with all facets of everyday life, it is reasonable to expect that its further proliferation may influence educational activities as well. Several such arguments have been thoroughly discussed in literature and several projects have been developed. However, little work has been done to investigate how pervasive computing can influence the medical educational process using e-learning platforms, and the prerequisites for such endeavours. In this pi
Combining Knowledge Awareness and Information Filtering in an Open-ended Collaborative Learning Envi
Knowledge awareness (KA) has been proposed to increase collaboration opportunities in an open ended and collaborative learning environment. To encourage collaboration, an individual userâs agent called KA-Agent autonomously informs the learner about up-to-the-minute activities from other learners. For instance, a message might be ãsomeone is looking at the same knowledge that you are looking at.ä Although this message, called active KA, is very useful to create real-time collaboration, a larg
Synchronous computer mediated collaborative activities among collocated students: Conditions that ma
Synchronous collaborative activities are usually studied in conditions where teachers and students are physically separated. Is there any possibility to apply these activities when all participants are collocated? Does this collocated collaboration setting seems meaningful and for what reasons? Is the quality of learning and teaching process satisfactory high? Under what conditions? The present research explores the previous questions. More
specifically, it explores synchronous computer mediated
An Algebra Subsystem for Diagnosing Students' Input in a Physics Tutoring System
To help a student in an introductory physics course do quantitative homework problems, an intelligent tutoring system must determine information of an algebraic nature. This paper describes a subsystem which resolves such questions for Andes2. The capabilities of the subsystem would be useful for any ITS which deals with problems involving complex systems of equations. This subsystem is capable of 1) solving the systems of equations at the level of introductory physics problems, 2) checking the
The effects of graphical overviews on exploratory behaviour and knowledge acquisition in hypertext e
One of the main and recognized problems of learning with hypertexts is that learners are easily distracted and end up ‘lost in hyperspace’. As a result, they do not acquire complete and adequate knowledge. In this study, we enhanced a hypertext environment with a graphical overview that represented the basic structure of the domain and we designed the layout in such a way that learners were unobtrusively encouraged to follow a sequence of exploration that followed the domain structure. This so
Supporting peer interaction in online learning environments
This paper reports two studies into the efficacy of sentence openers to foster online peer-to-peer interaction. Sentence openers are pre-defined ways to start an utterance that are implemented in communication facilities as menuÂ’s or buttons. In the first study, typical opening phrases were derived from naturally occurring online dialogues. The resulting set of sentence openers was implemented in a semi-structured chat tool that allowed students to compose messages in a free-text area or via se
En quoi les TIC changent-elles les pratiques d'ingénierie pédagogique du professeur d'université?
Depuis quelques années, le terme « in-génierie pédagogique » (instructional enginee-ring) est de plus en plus utilisé en rempla-cement de celui de « design pédagogique » (instructional design). Pourquoi? Rappelons d'abord que le terme « design pédagogique » est apparu au cours des années 1960, lors-que certains chercheurs (surtout améri-cains) ont commencé à mettre au point des méthodes systématiques et systémiques de planiï¬cation et de développement de l'en-seignement. Inï
Making Learning Design Standards Work with an Ontology of Educational Theories
In this paper, we present an ontology of educational theories their relation to learning design. This ontology takes into account learning design (LD) specifications such as OUNL-EML and IMS-LD at the conceptual level (1), semantic web standards such as OWL at the formal level (2), as well as JAVA standards at the implementation level (3). This ontology is intended to provide a knowledge base for any IMS-LD compliant authoring systems/LKMS, in order to provide services to authors of LD scenarios
Mobile Learning: Small devices, Big Issues
Over the past ten years mobile learning has grown from a minor research interest to a set of significant projects in schools, workplaces, museums, cities and rural areas around the world. Each project has shown how mobile technology can offer new opportunities for learning that extend within and beyond the traditional teacher-led classroom. Yet, the very diversity of the projects makes it difficult to capture the essence of mobile learning or to show how it contributes to the theory and practice
Autoevaluation in 8086 assembly language programming
Autoevaluation (self assessment) is more and more developed for teaching at university. We present our contribution to this pedagogical resource. Our exercises are intended for students in second year at the University of Paris 6 for the module "Computer Architecture". These numerous exercises complete the classical courses and allow students to check their know-how. We have experimented with success our set of exercises for the past 2 years with numerous students in UTES1. Uteval software has b
Putting knowledge to use
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