24 research outputs found
Stimulating Personal Development and Knowledge Sharing
Koper, R., Stefanov, K., & Dicheva, D. (Eds.) (2009). Proceedings of the 5th International TENCompetence Open Workshop "Stimulating Personal Development and Knowledge Sharing". October, 30-31, 2008, Sofia, Bulgaria: TENCompetence Workshop.The fifth open workshop of the TENCompetence project took place in Sofia, Bulgaria, from 30th to 31st October 2008. These proceedings contain the papers that were accepted for publication by the Program Committee.The work on this publication has been sponsored by the TENCompetence Integrated Project that is funded by the European Commission's 6th Framework Programme, priority IST/Technology Enhanced Learning. Contract 027087 [http://www.tencompetence.org
Using information visualization techniques to support web service discovery
The increasing number of web services published over the Web highlights the need for an effective method for users to find appropriate web services. Existing web service discovery methods do not effectively aid a user in finding suitable web services. The current methods provide textual lists of web services that the user is required to explore and manually evaluate. Thus, these methods lead to time-consuming and ineffective web service discovery. The aim of this research was to investigate using information visualization (IV) techniques to effectively support web service discovery. The node-and-link network IV technique was selected as the most appropriate IV technique to visualize web service collections. A prototype, called SerViz, was developed as a tool for interactive visualization of web service collections incorporating the node-and-link IV technique and an alphabetical list-based technique. SerViz used the Programmable Web web service collection as the sample web service collection. A usability evaluation was conducted to compare these techniques. Ninety percent of participants preferred the network IV technique for visualizing web service collections. The network IV technique was also faster for browsing. Several usability problems were identified with the network IV technique. This motivated a need for implementing an alternative IV technique in SerViz. The node-and-link tree IV technique was selected as it was more structured than the network IV technique. A usability evaluation was conducted to compare the network and tree IV techniques. Participants slightly preferred the tree IV technique as the technique to visualize web service collections. The tree IV technique was faster for browsing the web service collection while the network IV technique was faster for searching and filtering. This research has determined that IV techniques can be used to effectively support web service discovery. Future work will involve using IV techniques to support collaborative web service discovery. Keywords: Web Service Discovery, Information Visualization, Web Service Collections, Information Visualization Techniques
Information visualization for the people
Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Comparative Media Studies, 2008.Includes bibliographical references (p. 85-89).The design of information visualization, defined as the interactive, graphical presentation of data, is on the verge of a significant paradigm shift brought on by the continued maturation of the Information Age. Its traditional role as a scientific tool deployed by rigorous data analysts is in the process of expanding to include more mainstream uses and users, reflecting fundamental changes to the role of information and data in our increasingly digital society. However, visualization design theory remains rooted in earlier conceptions of its use, largely ignoring the needs of this new, non-expert audience. Accordingly, this thesis attempts to re-contextualize information visualization as a public-facing practice, and explores ways in which its design can shift from being described as "by experts, for experts" to a new characterization as "for the people."by Michael Danziger.S.M
In Our Blood: Mapping Narrative Enactments of Leukaemia Online
Often externally invisible, and currently considered incurable, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) presents with variable progression outcomes from indolent, through actively progressive, to terminal in some cases. Diagnosed with CLL myself, and having learned much of what I know about my disease online, this virtual ethnography triangulates autopathographic narrative with object oriented philosophies to map digital narrative circulations relating to the disease. Observing that key CLL online support sites function as hubs within complex networks connecting through to a variety of narrative enactments of CLL, this thesis draws on Actor-Network-Theory (ANT) throughout to explore and explain these narrative phenomena. The work shows that stories relating to CLL circulate in differing forms across networks peopled with varied actors (both human and non-human artefacts), key among which is the informed, connected and empowered âe-patientâ. These digital actors mobilize a wealth of information from translations of the complex evolving science pushing the boundaries of biomedical understanding and treatment, to sharing the daily effects of living with a cancer whose sufferers record exceptionally low emotional well-being. By exploring the intersection of circulating narratives of a single disease online from a perspective of their material rather than representational effects, I locate them as inscriptions of the practices enacted by the individuals, organizations and institutions producing and putting them into circulation. In doing so, I argue that this study successfully puts into practice an innovative approach for studying disease and its narrative performances in online support and knowledge exchange networks, revealing complex networks of intersections among the multiple narrative inscriptions of CLL online. The work identifies some of the key actors and narratives engaged in that process, demonstrating some of the network effects produced when they come together. Notable among the multiple effects generated through these complex assemblages of collaborative narrative circulation in online communities are changing patterns of knowledge exchange in clinical relationships, an over-arching potential for a variety of forms of patient empowerment, and the emergence of new open and generative forms of digital pathographies
Visualisation des rĂ©sultats de recherche classifiĂ©s en contexte de recherche dâinformation exploratoire : une Ă©valuation dâutilisabilitĂ©
La recherche dâinformation exploratoire sur le Web prĂ©sente des dĂ©fis cognitifs en termes de stratĂ©gies cognitives et de tactiques de recherche. Le modĂšle « question-rĂ©ponse » des moteurs de recherche actuels est inadĂ©quat pour faciliter les stratĂ©gies de recherche dâinformation exploratoire, assimilables aux stratĂ©gies cognitives de lâapprentissage. La visualisation des rĂ©sultats de recherche est un dispositif qui possĂšde des propriĂ©tĂ©s graphiques et interactives pertinentes pour le traitement de lâinformation et lâutilisation de la mĂ©moire et, plus largement de la cognition humaine. Plusieurs recherches ont Ă©tĂ© menĂ©es dans ce contexte de recherche dâinformation exploratoire, mais aucune nâa distinctement isolĂ© le facteur graphique et interactif de la « visualisation » au sein de son Ă©valuation.
Lâobjectif principal de cette thĂšse est de vĂ©rifier si la visualisation des rĂ©sultats en contexte de recherche dâinformation exploratoire tĂ©moigne des avantages cognitifs et interactifs pressentis selon ses prĂ©supposĂ©s thĂ©oriques.
Pour dĂ©crire et dĂ©terminer la valeur ajoutĂ©e de la visualisation des rĂ©sultats de recherche dans un contexte de recherche dâinformation exploratoire sur le Web, cette recherche propose de mesurer son utilisabilitĂ©. En la comparant selon les mĂȘmes critĂšres et indicateurs Ă une interface homologue textuelle, nous postulons que lâinterface visuelle atteindra une efficacitĂ©, efficience et satisfaction supĂ©rieure Ă lâinterface textuelle, dans un contexte de recherche dâinformation exploratoire. Les mesures objectives de lâefficacitĂ© et de lâefficience reposent principalement sur lâanalyse des traces de lâinteraction des utilisateurs, leur nombre et leur durĂ©e. Les mesures subjectives attestant de la satisfaction procurĂ©e par lâusage du systĂšme dans ce contexte repose sur la perception des utilisateurs par rapport Ă des critĂšres de perception de la facilitĂ© dâutilisation et de lâutilitĂ© de lâinterface testĂ©e et par rapport Ă des questions plus large sur lâexpĂ©rience de recherche vĂ©cue. Un questionnaire et un entretien ont Ă©tĂ© passĂ©s auprĂšs de chacun des vingt-trois rĂ©pondants. Leur session de recherche a aussi Ă©tĂ© enregistrĂ© par un logiciel de capture vidĂ©o dâĂ©cran.
Sur les donnĂ©es des vingt-trois utilisateurs divisĂ©s en deux groupes, lâanalyse statistique a rĂ©vĂ©lĂ© de faibles diffĂ©rences significatives entre les deux interfaces. Selon les mesures effectuĂ©es, lâinterface textuelle sâest rĂ©vĂ©lĂ©e plus efficace en terme de rappel et de pertinence ; et plus efficiente pour les durĂ©es de la recherche dâinformation. Sur le plan de la satisfaction, les interfaces ont Ă©tĂ© apprĂ©ciĂ©es toutes deux posivitivement, ne permettant pas de les distinguer pour la grande majoritĂ© des mĂ©triques. Par contre, au niveau du comportement interactif, des diffĂ©rences notables ont montrĂ© que les utilisateurs de lâinterface visuelle ont rĂ©alisĂ© davantage dâinteractions de type exploratoire, et ont procĂ©dĂ© Ă une collecte sĂ©lective des rĂ©sultats de recherche.
Lâanalyse statistique et de contenu sur le critĂšre de lâexpĂ©rience vĂ©cue a permis de dĂ©montrer que la visualisation offre lâoccasion Ă lâutilisateur de sâengager davantage dans le processus de recherche dâinformation en raison de lâimpact positif de lâesthĂ©tique de lâinterface visuelle. De plus, la fonctionnalitĂ© de classification a Ă©tĂ© perçue de maniĂšre ambivalente, divisant les candidats peu importe lâinterface testĂ©e. Enfin, lâanalyse des verbatims des « visuelle » a permis dâidentifier le besoin de fonctionnalitĂ©s de rĂ©troaction de lâutilisateur afin de pouvoir communiquer le besoin dâinformation ou sa pondĂ©ration des rĂ©sultats ou des classes, grĂące Ă des modalitĂ©s interactives de manipulation directe des classes sur un espace graphique.Conducting exploratory searches on the web presents a number of cognitive difficulties as regards search strategies and tactics. The âquestion-responseâ model used by the available search engines does not respond adequately to exploratory searches, which are akin to cognitive learning strategies. Visualising search results involves graphic and interactive properties for presenting information that are pertinent for processing and using information, as well as for remembering and, more broadly, for human cognition. Many studies have been conducted in the area of exploratory searches, but none have focussed specifically on the graphic and interactive features of visualisation in their analysis.
The principal objective of this thesis is to confirm whether the visualisation of results in the context of exploratory searches offers the cognitive and interactive advantages predicted by conjectural theory.
In order to describe and to determine the added value of visualising search results in the context of exploratory web searches, the study proposes to measure its usability. By comparing it to a parallel text interface, using the same criteria and indicators, the likelihood of better efficiency, efficacy, and satisfaction when using a visual interface can be established. The objective measures of efficiency and efficacy are based mainly on the analysis of user interactions, including the number of these interactions and the time they take. Subjective measures of satisfaction in using the system in this context are based on user perception regarding ease of use and the usefulness of the interface tested, and on broader questions concerning the experience of using the search interface. These data were obtained using a questionnaire and a discussion with each participant.
Statistical analysis of the data from twenty-three participants divided into two groups showed slightly significant differences between the two interfaces. Analysis of the metrics used showed that the textual interface is more efficient in terms of recall and pertinence, and more efficacious concerning the time needed to search for information. Regarding user satisfaction, both interfaces were seen positively, so that no differences emerged for the great majority of metrics used.
However, as regards interactive behaviour, notable differences emerged. Participants using the visual interface had more exploratory interaction, and went on to select and collect pertinent search results.
Statistical and content analysis of the experience itself showed that visualisation invites the user to become more involved in the search process, because of the positive effect of a pleasing visual interface. In addition, the classification function was perceived as ambivalent, dividing the participants no matter which interface was used. Finally, analysis of the verbatim reports of participants classed as âvisualâ indicated the need for a user feedback mechanism in order to communicate information needs or for weighting results or classes, using the interactive function for manipulating classes within a geographic space
A Prototype Method and Tool to Facilitate Knowledge Sharing in the New Product Development Process
New Product Development (NPD) plays a critical role in the success of manufacturing
firms. Activities in the product development process are dependent on the exchange of
knowledge among NPD project team members. Increasingly, many organisations
consider effective knowledge sharing to be a source of competitive advantage.
However, the sharing of knowledge is often inhibited in various ways.
This doctoral research presents an exploratory case study conducted at a
multinational physical goods manufacturer. This investigation uncovered three,
empirically derived and theoretically informed, barriers to knowledge sharing. They
have been articulated as the lack of an explicit definition of information about the
knowledge used and generated in the product development process, and the absence of
mechanisms to make this information accessible in a multilingual environment and to
disseminate it to NPD project team members. Collectively, these barriers inhibit a
shared understanding of product development process knowledge. Existing knowledge
management methodologies have focused on the capture of knowledge, rather than
providing information about the knowledge and have not explicitly addressed issues
regarding knowledge sharing in a multilingual environment.
This thesis reports a prototype method and tool to facilitate knowledge sharing
that addresses all three knowledge sharing barriers. Initially the research set out to
identify and classify new product development process knowledge and then sought to
determine what information about specific knowledge items is required by project
teams. Based on the exploratory case findings, an ontology has been developed that
formally defines information about this knowledge and allows it to be captured in a
knowledge acquisition tool, thereby creating a knowledge base. A mechanism is
provided to permit language labels to be attached to concepts and relations in the
ontology, making it accessible to speakers of different languages. A dissemination tool
allows the ontology and knowledge base to be viewed via a Web browser client.
Essentially, the ontology and mechanisms facilitate a knowledge sharing capability.
Some initial validation was conducted to better understand implementation issues and
future deployment of the prototype method and tool in practice
Semantic discovery and reuse of business process patterns
Patterns currently play an important role in modern information systems (IS) development and their use has mainly been restricted to the design and implementation phases of the development lifecycle. Given the increasing significance of business modelling in IS development, patterns have the potential of providing a viable solution for promoting reusability of recurrent generalized models in the very early stages of development. As a statement of research-in-progress this paper focuses on business process patterns and proposes an initial methodological framework for the discovery and reuse of business process patterns within the IS development lifecycle. The framework borrows ideas from the domain engineering literature and proposes the use of semantics to drive both the discovery of patterns as well as their reuse
A descriptive user study of bilingual information seekers searching for online information to complete four tasks
This study is about the information-seeking behavior that bilingual users â specifically, native Chinese speakers whose second language is English - exhibit when performing an online search. Bilingual online searching occurs when bilingual users submit queries to search for information in two languages. This study seeks to explore the information-seeking behavior of bilingual users in an attempt to discover possible ways of improving bilingual usersâ online searching experience. The study focuses on defining the characteristics of bilingual usersâ information-seeking behavior on the web.
This research employed questionnaire and interview methods to determine (1) The information-seeking behavior of bilingual users; (2) Languageâs influence on online searching; (3) Bilingual usersâ opinions on the online searching support they need. The sample was recruited from Chinese native-speaking students in Pittsburgh.
The researcher found that bilingual users tend to select the language that best fits their information needs rather than doing multilingual online searching and that they used search engines as multilingual tools. The researcher also identified five types of search strategies preferred for bilingual online searching. They include: directly linking, keyword searching, browsing, comparison, and externally linking. Directly linking means that the participant has a specific website in mind so he/she just go to the website directly or search for the website in the search engine. Browsing means that they retrieved a list of resources first and browse through them. Comparison means that they obtained several search results first and compare them. Externally linking strategy means that participants link from the website they accessed originally. This is a descriptive study of users completing four specific tasks and it only emphasizes on usersâ opinions about the search support given by the bilingual online searching interface
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"Colearning" - Collaborative Open Learning through OER and Social Media
This chapter introduces the concept of coLearning as well as discussing how open learning networks can produce, share and reuse OER collaboratively through social media.
COLEARNING OBJECTIVES
The aim of this investigation is to identify new forms of collaboration, as well as strategies that can be used to make the production and adaptation processes of OER more explicit for anyone in a social network to contribute.
REUSABILITY
This open content is an adapted version of a conference paper for OCW conference 2012, which was created by the same authors. This chapter can be reused by:
Educators who would like to create reusable OER (images, videos, maps, units)
Learners who are interested in tools for reusing and adapting OER
Content developers who are looking for different media to enrich OER
Social network users who would like to produce and share open media conten