A framework for processsolution analysis in collaborative learning environments
One of the most challenging aspects of computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL) research is automation of collaboration and interaction analysis in order to understand and improve the learning processes. It is particularly necessary to look in more depth at the joint analysis of the collaborative process and its resulting product. In this article, we present a framework for comprehensive analysis in CSCL synchronous environments supporting a problem-solving approach to learning. This fra
Gap Analysis Report
The aim of this document is to: a) provide a description of the Gap Analysis framework and the methodology we have used in PROLEARN roadmap (section 1: Methods) and b) present the Gap analysis results (section 2: Implementations).,Research report of the ProLearn Network of Excellence (IST 507310), Deliverable 12.12
Harmonization methodology for metadata models
Metadata allows systems, applications and users to manage and access resources without a need for interaction with the resource itself. For this reason, the administration and exchange of metadata is a central activity in systems that manage learning objects. Metadata considerations are fundamental when creating interoperable e-learning tools, and metadata standards have been among the very first learning technology standards to mature.
This deliverable analyses a number of existing metadata spe
Specification and Prototyping of Personalized Workplace Learning Solutions
The main goal of this document is to survey the existing approaches for the personalization and
adaptation of eLearning systems which are proposed by partners from the PROLEARN consortium.,Research report of the ProLearn Network of Excellence (IST 507310), Deliverable 1.8
Some "Lessons Learned" on Social Software for Professional Learning
This deliverable's Conclusion lists some lessons learnt regarding the use of social software for professional learning. The conclusion is based upon experiences and insights reported by PROLEARN members, and also the following three recent items: A report about a workshop conducted at the European conference on Computer-Supported Cooperative Work in Limerick, Ireland tackling the gap between CSCW and Social Software; a report about a track at the Professional Training Facts in Stuttgart, Germany
Participatory design in open education: a workshop model for developing a pattern language
Technologically enhanced learning environments raise complex challenges for their designers, developers and users. Design patterns and pattern languages have recently emerged as a potential framework for addressing some of these challenges. However, the uptake of design patterns has been slow outside of the computer science community. We argue that this is largely a consequence of a weak positioning of pattern languages, as a form of delivering expert knowledge to layperson, and suggest an alter
Learning Objects Need Badly Instructional Digital Libraries Support
In this paper, we present a standard definition for learning objects, a controversy around it, and the resulted working definition, along with features to be held by learning objects, benefits of the object-oriented approach for learning, some pros and cons for using learning objects, and finally some quality standard guidelines for these objects. In addition, we introduce shortly a taxonomy of learning object types and the metadata standards that can be used for learning objects and the way the
Design and Implementation of a Logo-based Computer Graphics Course
Two years ago the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics at Sofia University makes a decision to design a new series of Logo-based courses which make use of the modern technology. The pedagogical component of the challenge is to design a multidisciplinary course suitable for students with different skills and interests. From a development perspective the challenge is to build an entirely new one. And finally the course must be attractive regardless of the seriousness and complexity of the topics
Investigation of Q-Learning in the Context of a Virtual Learning Environment
We investigate the possibility to apply a known machine learning algorithm of Q-learning in the domain of a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). It is important in this problem domain to have algorithms that learn their optimal values in a rather short time expressed in terms of the iteration number. The problem domain is a VLE in which an agent plays a role of the teacher. With time it moves to different states and makes decisions which regarding action to choose for moving from current state to
Exploring Individual and Collaborative Dimensions of Knowledge Building in an Online Learning Commun
An exploratory study of students' engagement in online learning and knowledge building is presented in this paper. Learning in an online community, composed of students (pre-service teachers) and experts (experienced in-service schoolteachers and academics), is the study's primary focus. Students' interaction and knowledge discourse structures, arising from individual readings of academic papers and asynchronous collaboration with peers and experts, are investigated using social network and cont
Information Technologies for Biology Education: Computerized Electrophysiology of Plant Cells
Biology has moved from a bench-based discipline to a bioinformational science in modern times but application of computational and analytical methods of informatics in it is still a problem for many researchers and students of biology. We suggest to integrate cost effective and practical combination of the real and the virtual laboratories into the undergraduate biological science curriculum. This laboratory work illustrates passive and active electrical properties of plant cell membranes while
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
E-science, E-research and E-learning:
New Perspectives for Graduate Studies
The quality of education for doctoral students is closely linked to the quality of the research they undertake. Benefiting from technological advances, new distributed and collaborative research practices can be witnessed. The concept of e-science has emerged and evolved to the concept of e-research. These concepts bring about a new research philosophy and the notion of collaboratory. Our research project aims to develop a renewed doctoral training approach and to facilitate researchers' adoptio
Learning in the Age of Ubiquitous Computing: Exploring the Impact of Mobile Technologies on Individu
This paper explores the emergence of a pervasive learning culture within the context of ubiquitous computing scenarios. Furthermore, this paper examines the impact of mobile technologies on collaborative learning and highlights the key characteristics of these phenomena.
From Questions to Queries
The extension of (Internet) databases forces everyone to become more familiar with techniques of data storage and retrieval because users success often depends on their ability to pose right questions and to be able to interpret their answers. University programs pay more attention to developing database programming skills than to data exploitation skills. To educate our students to become database users, the authors intensively exploit supportive tools simplifying the production of databa
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
Collaborative learning - New learning models and applications
Distance education defined as education that takes place when the learner and the instructor are in separate location is undergoing changes throughout the world. The teaching environment is undergoing a major shift as more and more programs are offering classes online. This shift is due to rising costs in education, enrollment management issues, and an evolution in the use of distance learning.
Proposal for convergence of e-learning systems for t-learning
This article presents considerations about viability on reutilize existing web based e- Learning systems on Interactive Digital TV environment according to Digital TV standard adopted in Brazil. Considering the popularity of Moodle system in academic and corporative area, such system was chosen as a foundation for a survey into its properties to create a specification of an Application Programming Interface (API) for convergence to t-Learning characteristics that demands efforts in interface des
Digital literacy towards a re description of literacy for the digital learning environments
The concepts of digital literacy and digital competence are the focus in this paper. The paper will argue that the traditional concepts regarding literacy need to be re described and augmented when faced with the challenges and affordances of the digital learning environments. The paper will suggest a theoretical framework for how to understand the ways in which young people include digital technologies into their social and cultural practices. Some examples from the empirical material w
The framework for easy intelligent tutor programs creation
In this paper the framework for intelligent tutor programs creation is described. It separates the logical part of tutor program and technical parts like user interface, database connectivity, etc. The intelligent program is built in specially developed graphical tool by means of performing primitive actions to create task model as a graph with states and conditional transitions. So it may be composed by a teacher with base programming skills.
