Ubiquitous e-Learning With Multimodal Multimedia Devices

The sharable content object reference model (SCORM) is a set of specifications and guidelines for the representation and operation of asynchronous distance learning. Since it was announced in late 1990s, the reference model has been used by software developers and academics in the development of authoring tools, learning management systems, and repositories for distance learning content. To date, most e-learning systems have been based on multimedia and Web technologies on personal computers. Our project, Hard SCORM, advances the field by implementing an integrated system which allows learners to read SCORM-compliant textbooks using multimodal multimedia devices. Hard SCORM employs a pen-like optical character reader device (called Hyper Pen) as an input mechanism. A computer, a personal digital assistant, or a cellular phone can be used for user behavior supervision using the hard SCORM machine. With an authoring tool, specially designed tags are printed in textbooks and recognized by hyper pen for user navigation control. In this way, users can read hardcopy textbooks in a traditional manner while the process of reading conforms to the SCORM specification. Part of the implemented system (Pocket SCORM on PDA) received the 2005 Brandon Hall Excellence in Learning Awards. The system has also been used by an airline company for online security checking and a high school for online mobile learning     

A context-aware adaptive learning system using agents

Evolution of Web technologies has made e-learning a popular common way of education and training. As an outcome, learning content adaptation has been the subject of many research projects lately. This paper suggests a framework for building an adaptive Learning Management System (LMS). The proposed architecture is based upon multi-agent systems and uses both Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) 2004 and semantic Web ontology for learning content storage, sequencing and adaptation. This system has been implemented upon a well known open-source LMS and its functionalities are demonstrated through the simulation of a scenario mimicing the real life conditions. The result reveals the system effectiveness for which it appears that the proposed approach may be very promising.     

A blended E-learning experience in a course of object oriented programming fundamentals

In this paper, we present a blended e-learning experience consisting of supplying an undergraduate student population (in addition to traditional on-site classes) with a learning tool called OOPS (Object Oriented Programming System) and a testing system called SIETTE. OOPS is a problem-solving environment in which students can resolve Object Oriented Programming exercises. The system applies an assessment for learning strategy where students are formatively assessed, i.e. OOPS diagnoses their knowledge level but also generates feedback and hints to help students to understand and overcome their misconceptions and to reinforce correctly learnt concepts. In conjunction with OOPS, we have used SIETTE, a web-based assessment system in which students can take tests and teachers can construct them Subsequently, we have explored whether or not the use of OOPS contributes to improve the students’ knowledge about Object Oriented Programming.     

From SCORM to Common Cartridge: A step forward

Shareable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) was proposed as a standard for sharable learning object packaging, delivering and sequencing. Several years later, Common Cartridge (CC) is proposed as an enhancement of SCORM offering more flexibility and addressing needs not originally envisioned, namely assessment and web 2.0 standards, content authorization, collaborative forums, outcomes reporting, accessibility. Educational policy makers, specialists responsible for learning systems deployment, educational content authors and teachers committed to the learning object paradigm must opt for or coexist with two different, partially overlapping proposals for content packaging. While SCORM was conceived for self-paced computer based learning, Common Cartridge attempts at providing support for all forms of teaching and learning with a stress on interactive and collaborative environments. Variety of content, distributed content, discussion forums, assessment, student’s tracking, interaction with external tools and authorization to access resources are listed as its main enhancements. This article reviews and compares SCORM and Common Cartridge from an educational perspective, seeking to provide some ground and guidelines on how to stand before these proposals. A simple process for authoring a Common Cartridge is described, as well as testing and conversion from SCORM. Suggestions are made to education practitioners on learning objects standards adoption in the most common scenarios.     

一种面向对象的模糊知识库模型

本文给出了一种专家系统模糊知识库的结构模型。重点讨论了该模型的体系结构和采用面向对象技术表示模糊规则的方法。并介绍了采用面向对象方法分析和设计模糊知识库的技术和采用面向对象串行化技术实现模糊知识库持久保存的方法。最后,分析了采用面向对象技术构建模糊知识库的优点。     

基于OCPN的SMIL文档创作平台设计与实现

基于SMIL的多媒体文档创作平台是目前的应用研究重点。SMIL Authoring Tool(SAT)创作平台在参考了SMIL2．O定义基础上，以OCPN为多媒体同步时序定义的基本模型，分析了国内外现有的系统优缺点之后，利用面向对象的方法实现。SAT相对于已有的系统而言，它使用树形组织结构和OCPN对节点之间的时序和节点内部的详细同步信息进行设置，二者互相补充，可使用户进行简单的同步时序设置。     

Ontology-based curriculum content sequencing system with semantic rules

Curriculum content sequencing involves managing a learning route to help users achieve learning goals. A conventional learning route consists of ordered content and is primarily based on a single course material. In an e-learning system, amount of similar course contents are available. These contents are expected to mutually substitute for one another in creating flexible learning routes. Owing to inconsistency in materials editing and cataloging, composing contents based on multiple sources leads to sequencing complexity. Most significantly, most e-learning systems lack a sequencing mechanism for dominating content composition. This study utilizes a knowledge-intensive approach to create a general sequencing knowledge base. This approach includes two components: (1) ontology is used to represent abstract views of content sequencing and course materials and (2) added semantic rules are used to represent relationships between individuals. Following knowledge base creation, both practical curriculum sequences and course materials can be inserted as factual knowledge. A reliable knowledge base can be established using inference power. An example involving mathematics course in elementary school education is designed using Web Ontology Language (OWL) and Semantic Web Rule Language (SWRL). Experimental lessons demonstrate that semantic rules in conjunction with ontologies not only solve sequencing problems but also achieve a durable knowledge base and a reliable system.     

PC<Superscript>2</Superscript>PSO: personalized e-course composition based on Particle Swarm Optimization

This paper proposes a Personalized e-Course Composition approach based on Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm, called PC²PSO, to compose appropriate e-learning materials into personalized e-courses for individual learners. The PC²PSO composes a personalized e-course according to (1) whether or not the covered learning concepts of the personalized e-course meets the expected learning target of a learner, (2) whether or not the difficulty of the e-learning material matches a learner’s ability, (3) the limitation of learning time for individual learners, and (4) the balance of the weight of learning concepts that are covered in a personalized e-course. PC²PSO can provide a truly personalized learning environment when used in conjunction with an Intelligent Tutoring System (ITS). When an e-course authoring tool is based on the proposed approach, the PC²PSO can facilitate instructors in selecting appropriate e-learning materials from a mass of candidate e-learning materials, and then saves time and effort in the e-course editing process.     

Enhancing SCORM through creating a reusable JAVA class repository

Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) is a set of standards that have been widely adopted when developing eLearning products. However, even with the use of SCORM, the creation of a simulation‐based eLearning course is still a hard task. An instructor can neither easily obtain source code from existing learning objects repositories nor reuse and adapt existing simulations to suit the instructor's needs. We describe an experimental reusable JAVA class repository that embeds itself in a SCORM run‐time environment to support software reuse and the cooperative creation of simulation‐based courses. Finally, we provide advice on how to promote software reuse and assure the quality of simulation‐based eLearning courses. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A practical ontology query expansion algorithm for semantic-aware learning objects retrieval

Following the rapid development of Internet, particularly web page interaction technology, distant e-learning has become increasingly realistic and popular. To solve the problems associated with sharing and reusing teaching materials in different e-learning systems, several standard formats, including SCORM, IMS, LOM, and AICC, etc., recently have been proposed by several different international organizations. SCORM LOM, namely learning object metadata, facilitates the indexing and searching of learning objects in a learning object repository through extended sharing and searching features. However, LOM suffers a weakness in terms of semantic-awareness capability. Most information retrieval systems assume that users have cognitive ability regarding their needs. However, in e-learning systems, users may have no idea of what they are looking for and the learning object metadata. This study presents an ontological approach for semantic-aware learning object retrieval. This approach has two significant novel features: a fully automatic ontology-based query expansion algorithm for inferring and aggregating user intention based on their original short query, and another “ambiguity removal” procedure for correcting inappropriate user query terms. This approach is sufficiently generic to be embedded to other LOM-based search mechanisms for semantic-aware learning object retrieval.Focused on digital learning material and contrasted to other traditional keyword-based search technologies, the proposed approach has experimentally demonstrated significantly improved retrieval precision and recall rate.     

English course E-learning system based on relative item difficulty using web component composition

Many researches about e-learning system have been applied item difficulty to increase learning effectiveness. And development environment was changed the internet based learning media contents into the more various technology such as component, web 2.0, service oriented development and so on. Especially, service-oriented development is one of new trend in web based system and has become mainstream in software development. In the development, web components aims at providing support to service-oriented technique by enabling automatic discovery, composition, invocation and interoperation of the services. In this paper, we aimed the implementation of English e-learning system including the item guessing parameter and considering the relative correction of item difficulty. In the system, a learner was given to choose the learning step by the relative difficulty. In order to process and combine, all the learning contents are based on Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) with Learning Management System (LMS). Also, each learning contents are belong to Sharable Content Objects (SCOs).     

Language engineering techniques for the development of e-learning applications

In this paper we propose the use of language engineering techniques to improve and systematize the development of e-learning applications. E-learning specifications usually rely on domain-specific languages that describe different aspects of such final e-learning applications. This fact makes it natural to adopt well-established language engineering principles during the construction of these applications. These principles promote the specification of the structure and the runtime behavior of the domain-specific languages as the central part of the development process. This specification can be used to drive different activities: rapid prototyping, provision of authoring notations and tools, automatic model checking of properties, importation/exportation from/to standards, and deployment of running applications. This language engineering concept also promotes active collaboration between instructors (the users of the languages) and developers (the designers and implementers) throughout the development process. In this paper we describe this language-driven approach to the construction of e-learning applications and we illustrate all its aspects using a learning flow sequencing language as a case study.     

An extension to the ADL SCORM standard to support adaptivity: The t-learning case-study

Current e-learning standards have been designed to provide reusability and interoperability. Besides these features, content personalisation is also necessary, although current standards do not fully support it. In this paper, we study the adaptation possibilities of the SCORM standard and present an extension to permit adaptivity according to user's characteristics. It comprises a syntax for adaptivity rules based on a set of adaptation parameters. The actual values of these adaptation parameters are deduced from the user profile, using inference rules. As a result, adaptive courses are obtained, created with the aim of being personalised before shown to the student.     

基于SCORM的在线试题开发工具的研究

在线练习和测试是网络学习的重要组成部分。但目前多数开发工具实现的在线试题课程、学习管理系统很难标准化地记录测试结果、学习者反馈等重要学习数据。通过探索SCORM RTE API,SCORM Data Model Elements以及SCO和LMS之间的通信机制,给出了一个符合SCORM的Dreamweaver试题开发插件的范例,实现了标准化的数据跟踪和记录。     

基于本体论的课件资源检索系统设计

远程教育课件的共享和检索是保证E-learning提供迅速、稳定的在线学习的重要基础。通过结合本体论和Agent技术设计出了一种基于本体论的课件资源检索系统。谊系统通过支持SCORM1．2（sharable content object reference model）来实现学习资源的共享和系统的互操作性。提高了SCORM标准课件的利用率,提供个性化课件检索服务,降低教师课件开发压力。     

Delphi基于ADO通用数据库连接的实现和应用

ADO(ActiveXDataObjects)是Borland公司重点开发的数据引擎,把连接数据库的ADO组件的字符串参数加密后保存在约定的文件中,灵活地连接不同的数据库,同时也保证了数据库的安全。按照面向对象技术的思想,可以把与数据库连接相关的组件、过程和函数放在一个单元文件中,供其他程序单元调用。     

Adaptive and intelligent web based education system: Towards an integral architecture and framework

In this paper it is presented our contribution for carrying out adaptive and intelligent Web-based Education Systems (WBES) that take into account the individual student learning requirements, by means of a holistic architecture and Framework for developing WBES. In addition, three basic modules of the proposed WBES are outlined: an Authoring tool, a Semantic Web-based Evaluation, and a Cognitive Maps-based Student Model. As well, it is stated a Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) oriented to deploy reusable, accessible, durable and interoperable services. The approach enhances the Learning Technology Standard Architecture, proposed by IEEE-LTSA (Learning Technology System Architecture) [IEEE 1484.1/D9 LTSA (2001). Draft standard for learning technology – learning technology systems architecture (LTSA). New York, USA. URL: http://ieee.ltsc.org/wg1], and the Sharable Content Object Reusable Model (SCORM), claimed by Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) [Advanced Distributed Learning Initiative (2004). URL: http://www.adlnet.org].     

A metamodeling approach for the identification of organizational smells in multi-agent systems: application to ASPECS

Software Quality is one of the most important subjects in the Process Development Software, especially in large and complex systems. Much effort has been devoted to the development of techniques and concepts to improve software quality over the years. We are especially interested on smells, which represent anomalies or flaws in the design/code that can have serious consequences in maintenance or future development of the systems. These techniques have a strong development in the Object Oriented paradigm, however, very few studies were conducted in the agent oriented paradigm. In this paper we focus on the detection of design smells applied to multi-agent systems models based on the organizational approach, named Organizational Design Smells (ODS). Early and automatic detection of these ODS allows reducing the costs and development times, while increasing the final product’s quality. To achieve this objective, validation rules were defined based in the EVL language. The approach is illustrated with two examples, their validation rules, and the refactoring solutions proposed.     

面向对象度量—MOOD算法集及其应用分析

面向对象软件的主要特性包括抽象性、封装性、继承性和多态性等。本文在分析这些特性的基础上,介绍了一种能对这些特性进行全面度量的算法集,并对这种算法集在实际应用中可能出现的问题进行了分析,提出了一些新的观点。     

Automatic generation of emotions in tutoring agents for affective e-learning in medical education

Web-based education is particularly appropriate for remote teaching and learning at any time and place, away from classrooms and does not necessarily require the presence of a human instructor. The need for time and place independence is even greater in some cases, such as for medical instructors who are usually doctors that have to treat patients on top of their tutoring duties. However, this independence from real teachers and classrooms may influence negatively the students who may feel deprived of the benefits of human–human interaction. In this paper we describe a novel approach for incorporating affective characteristics into e-learning through an authoring tool. The authoring tool incorporates and adapts principles of a cognitive theory for modeling possible emotional states that a tutoring agent may use for educational purposes. Medical instructors may use this authoring tool to create their own educational characters that will interact affectively with their students in the e-learning environment.