525,477 research outputs found
An active learning and training environment for database programming
Active learning facilitated through interactive, self-controlled learning environments differs substantially from traditional instructor-oriented, classroom-based teaching. We present a tool for database programming that integrates knowledge learning and skills training. How these tools are used most effectively is still an open question. Therefore, we discuss analysis and evaluation of these Web-based environments focusing on different aspects of learning behaviour and tool usage. Motivation, acceptance of the learning approach, learning organisation and actual tool usage are aspects of behaviour that require different techniques to be used
Supporting active database learning and training through interactive multimedia
The learning objectives of a database course include aspects from conceptual and theoretical knowledge to practical development and implementation skills. We present an interactive educational multimedia system based on the virtual apprenticeship model for the knowledge- and skills-oriented Web-based education of database course students. Combining knowledge learning and skills training in an integrated environment is a central aspect of our system. We show that tool-mediated independent learning and training in an authentic setting is an alternative to traditional classroom-based approaches
Supporting the active learning of collaborative database browsing techniques
We describe the implications of a study of database browsing behaviour for the development of a system to support more effective browsing. In particular we consider the importance of collaborative working, both in learning browsing skills and in coâoperating on a shared informationâretrieval task. From our study, we believe that an interface to support collaboration should promote the awareness of the activities of others, better visualization of the information data structures being browsed, and effective communication of the browsing process
Acquiring Word-Meaning Mappings for Natural Language Interfaces
This paper focuses on a system, WOLFIE (WOrd Learning From Interpreted
Examples), that acquires a semantic lexicon from a corpus of sentences paired
with semantic representations. The lexicon learned consists of phrases paired
with meaning representations. WOLFIE is part of an integrated system that
learns to transform sentences into representations such as logical database
queries. Experimental results are presented demonstrating WOLFIE's ability to
learn useful lexicons for a database interface in four different natural
languages. The usefulness of the lexicons learned by WOLFIE are compared to
those acquired by a similar system, with results favorable to WOLFIE. A second
set of experiments demonstrates WOLFIE's ability to scale to larger and more
difficult, albeit artificially generated, corpora. In natural language
acquisition, it is difficult to gather the annotated data needed for supervised
learning; however, unannotated data is fairly plentiful. Active learning
methods attempt to select for annotation and training only the most informative
examples, and therefore are potentially very useful in natural language
applications. However, most results to date for active learning have only
considered standard classification tasks. To reduce annotation effort while
maintaining accuracy, we apply active learning to semantic lexicons. We show
that active learning can significantly reduce the number of annotated examples
required to achieve a given level of performance
Active Learning via a Sample Database: The Case of Microsoft\u27s Adventure Works
This paper describes the use and benefits of Microsoftâs Adventure Works (AW) database to teach advanced database skills in a hands-on, realistic environment. Database management and querying skills are a key element of a robust information systems curriculum, and active learning is an important way to develop these skills. To facilitate active learning and produce a compelling narrative, the data structure and content of a useful pedagogically-oriented database should be realistic and lifelike. It should contain data that accurately depicts the business processes, functions, and entities of a realistic organization, structured in a way that demonstrates best practices in database design. Most database textbooks include sample databases, but these are often small and sparse of data. By contrast, Microsoftâs AW database presents a robust, realistic, and comprehensive framework for many important educational objectives in an IS curriculum. This paper introduces the AW business case and database, and illustrates several pedagogical uses in an undergraduate CIS program
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