Collaboration in the Semantic Grid: a Basis for e-Learning

The CoAKTinG project aims to advance the state of the art in collaborative mediated spaces for the Semantic Grid. This paper presents an overview of the hypertext and knowledge based tools which have been deployed to augment existing collaborative environments, and the ontology which is used to exchange structure, promote enhanced process tracking, and aid navigation of resources before, after, and while a collaboration occurs. While the primary focus of the project has been supporting e-Science, this paper also explores the similarities and application of CoAKTinG technologies as part of a human-centred design approach to e-Learning

Improving the Quality of Technology-Enhanced Learning for Computer Programming Courses

Teaching computing courses is a major challenge for the majority of lecturers in Libyan higher learning institutions. These courses contain numerous abstract concepts that cannot be easily explained using traditional educational methods. This paper describes the rationale, design, development and implementation stages of an e-learning package (including multimedia resources such as simulations, animations, and videos) using the ASSURE model. This training package can be used by students before they attend practical computer lab sessions, preparing them by developing technical skills and applying concepts and theories presented in lecture through supplementary study and exercises

A cross-case analysis of ICT courses in teacher training programmes for special needs: technology affordances and Universal Design for Learning

The special needs teacher is a highly qualified professional whose role is to work in collaboration with all class teachers to activate an inclusive approach for the benefit of all students and to enable individual potentialities. Technology can be of paramount importance in designing learning activities according to the principles of Universal Design for Learning in an interdisciplinary approach and with a holistic perspective of all involved actors in the teaching/learning process. In Italy, the prospective special needs teacher has the opportunity to be fully trained thanks to a comprehensive specialization course where the areas of competence of digital literacy are addressed in a specific course. The study reports a cross analysis of three editions of an Information and Communication Technology course, with a focus on the results of the last edition, whose online format was discussed starting from strengths identified in the first two face-to-face editions of the same course

COSMOS-7: Video-oriented MPEG-7 scheme for modelling and filtering of semantic content

MPEG-7 prescribes a format for semantic content models for multimedia to ensure interoperability across a multitude of platforms and application domains. However, the standard leaves it open as to how the models should be used and how their content should be filtered. Filtering is a technique used to retrieve only content relevant to user requirements, thereby reducing the necessary content-sifting effort of the user. This paper proposes an MPEG-7 scheme that can be deployed for semantic content modelling and filtering of digital video. The proposed scheme, COSMOS-7, produces rich and multi-faceted semantic content models and supports a content-based filtering approach that only analyses content relating directly to the preferred content requirements of the user

Hypermedia = hypercommunication

New hardware and software technology gave application designers the freedom to use new realism in human computer interaction. High-quality images, motion video, stereo sound and music, speech, touch, gesture provide richer data channels between the person and the machine. Ultimately, this will lead to richer communication between people with the computer as an intermediary. The whole point of hyper-books, hyper-newspapers, virtual worlds, is to transfer the concept and relationships, the 'data structure', from the mind of creator to that of user. Some of the characteristics of this rich information channel are discussed, and some examples are presented

Proceedings of the ECSCW'95 Workshop on the Role of Version Control in CSCW Applications

The workshop entitled "The Role of Version Control in Computer Supported Cooperative Work Applications" was held on September 10, 1995 in Stockholm, Sweden in conjunction with the ECSCW'95 conference. Version control, the ability to manage relationships between successive instances of artifacts, organize those instances into meaningful structures, and support navigation and other operations on those structures, is an important problem in CSCW applications. It has long been recognized as a critical issue for inherently cooperative tasks such as software engineering, technical documentation, and authoring. The primary challenge for versioning in these areas is to support opportunistic, open-ended design processes requiring the preservation of historical perspectives in the design process, the reuse of previous designs, and the exploitation of alternative designs. The primary goal of this workshop was to bring together a diverse group of individuals interested in examining the role of versioning in Computer Supported Cooperative Work. Participation was encouraged from members of the research community currently investigating the versioning process in CSCW as well as application designers and developers who are familiar with the real-world requirements for versioning in CSCW. Both groups were represented at the workshop resulting in an exchange of ideas and information that helped to familiarize developers with the most recent research results in the area, and to provide researchers with an updated view of the needs and challenges faced by application developers. In preparing for this workshop, the organizers were able to build upon the results of their previous one entitled "The Workshop on Versioning in Hypertext" held in conjunction with the ECHT'94 conference. The following section of this report contains a summary in which the workshop organizers report the major results of the workshop. The summary is followed by a section that contains the position papers that were accepted to the workshop. The position papers provide more detailed information describing recent research efforts of the workshop participants as well as current challenges that are being encountered in the development of CSCW applications. A list of workshop participants is provided at the end of the report. The organizers would like to thank all of the participants for their contributions which were, of course, vital to the success of the workshop. We would also like to thank the ECSCW'95 conference organizers for providing a forum in which this workshop was possible

Using Online Sharing and Editing Tools for Classroom Collaborative Learning in Multimedia Journalism Education

It’s no surprise to educators that collaborative learning offers a deeper level of classroom engagement, enhances critical thinking, and improves retention of information. Research consistently supports those claims (Gokhale, 1995; Johnson & Johnson, 1986; Totten, Sills, Digby, & Russ, 1991). Online tools can offer a way to enable such collaborative learning and reap those benefits. In particular, real-time, multi-user, content sharing and/or editing tools make possible group critiques of media-rich content, potentially lower barriers for participation in group problem-solving exercises, and create a unique environment for continuous self-assessment and peer learning. A careful examination of how two of these web-based tools (Piratepad and Padlet) have been used in collaborative in-person activities in conjunction with a student survey on pedagogical effectiveness provide valuable takeaway lessons for understanding best practices (and remaining challenges) in integrating technology in the classroom for communication educators

The effects of utilizing smartphone in enhancing students' English writing skills in Pakistan

Though mobile learning offers myriad language learning opportunities to digitally smart learners, yet Pakistani lecturers are still utilizing conventional pedagogical methods to teach English writing skills. The objective of this 8-week study was to investigate the effects of smartphone in enhancing students’ English writing skills in Pakistan. To conduct this mixed method study, purposive sampling was employed to choose 45 intermediate students as participants. The pre-test/post-test, questionnaire on motivation and semi-structured interviews were used for data collection. In addition, the study investigated the views of the one lecturer and four students regarding the effects of utilizing smartphone as a teaching and learning tool. The quantitative data was analyzed by applying Paired-samples t-test employing SPSS (Windows version 24.0). However, the qualitative data was analyzed and interpreted holistically based on the emerging themes. The key findings from the Paired-samples t-test indicated that the students significantly scored higher (after intervention utilizing smartphones) on their overall mean scores not only for the descriptive essay and its eight components but also for motivation. Similarly, the qualitative findings revealed that smartphone played an effective role that motivated the students to enhance their writing skills by engaging them in a fun learning and student-centered environment. Based on the findings, it is recommended that future studies should use smartphones to address other genres of writing with female samples from other provinces of Pakistan. Moreover, the findings support the theories such as multimedia, mobile learning, cooperative learning, process approach and theory of motivation. Besides, the curriculum designers should promote the utilization of smartphones to address issues in writing skills