Ontologies for Effective Use of Context in e-Learning Settings

This paper presents an ontology-based framework aimed at explicit representation of context-specific metadata derived from the actual usage of learning objects and learning designs. The core part of the proposed framework is a learning object context ontology, that leverages a range of other kinds of learning ontologies (e.g., user modeling ontology, domain ontology, and learning design ontology) to capture the information about the real usage of a learning object inside a learning design. We also present some learner-centered and teacher-centered scenarios enabled by the proposed framework in order to illustrate the benefits the framework offers to these key participants of any learning process. Finally, we demonstrate how two present educational tools (i.e. TANGRAM and LOCO-Analyst) correspond to the proposed architecture.

[1]  Weihong Huang,et al.  An intelligent semantic e-learning framework using context-aware Semantic Web technologies , 2006, Br. J. Educ. Technol..

[2]  Vladan Devedzic,et al.  Leveraging the Semantic Web for Providing Educational Feedback , 2007, Seventh IEEE International Conference on Advanced Learning Technologies (ICALT 2007).

[3]  Jim E. Greer,et al.  Building a Learning Object Content Management System , 2005 .

[4]  Rob Koper,et al.  Modeling units of study from a pedagogical perspective: the pedagogical meta-model behind EML , 2001 .

[5]  Zakaria Maamar,et al.  What can context do for web services? , 2006, CACM.

[6]  Robert E. McGrath,et al.  Ontologies in a Pervasive Computing Environment , 2003 .

[7]  Gordon I. McCalla,et al.  Ontologies to Support Learning Design Context , 2006, EC-TEL.

[8]  Mimi Recker,et al.  A Non-authoritative Educational Metadata Ontology for Filtering and Recommending Learning Objects , 2001, Interact. Learn. Environ..

[9]  Darina Dicheva,et al.  Context-based Search in Topic-centered Digital Repositories , 2006 .

[10]  Vladan Devedzic,et al.  Ontology-Based Automatic Annotation of Learning Content , 2006, Int. J. Semantic Web Inf. Syst..

[11]  Gráinne Conole,et al.  Pedagogical review of learning activities and use cases: LADIE Project Report , 2005 .

[12]  Dragan Gasevic,et al.  An Ontology-Based Framework for Bridging Learning Design and Learning Content , 2006, J. Educ. Technol. Soc..

[13]  Jerry Zhigang Li,et al.  Mapping local ontologies: Authentic semantics for learning object evaluation , 2006 .

[14]  Claudia Linnhoff-Popien,et al.  CoOL: A Context Ontology Language to Enable Contextual Interoperability , 2003, DAIS.

[15]  Mimi Recker,et al.  Collaboratively Filtering Learning Objects , 2001 .

[16]  Koen De Bosschere,et al.  Towards an Extensible Context Ontology for Ambient Intelligence , 2004, EUSAI.

[17]  Wolfgang Nejdl,et al.  Ontologies and Metadata for eLearning , 2004, Handbook on Ontologies.

[18]  Vladan Devedzic,et al.  Dynamic Assembly of Personalized Learning Content on the Semantic Web , 2006, ESWC.

[19]  Harry Chen,et al.  An ontology for context-aware pervasive computing environments , 2003, The Knowledge Engineering Review.

[20]  Gord McCalla,et al.  The Ecological Approach to the Design of E-Learning Environments: Purpose-based Capture and Use of Information About Learners , 2004 .

[21]  Alexandra I. Cristea,et al.  Authoring of adaptive hypermedia , 2005 .

[22]  Rob Koper,et al.  Representing the Learning Design of Units of Learning , 2004, J. Educ. Technol. Soc..