Using evaluation to inform the development of a user-focused assessment engine

This paper reports on the evaluation of a new assessment system, Technologies for Online Interoperability (TOIA). TOIA was built from a user-focussed specification of an assessment system. The formative evaluation of the project complemented this initial specification by ensuring that user feedback on the development and use of the system was iteratively fed back into the development process. The paper begins by summarising some of the key barriers and enablers to the use of assessment systems and the uptake of Computer-Assisted Assessment (CAA). It goes on to provide a critique of the impact of technology on assessment and considers whether innovative uses of information and communication technology (ICT) might result in new e-pedagogies and practices in assessment. The paper then reports on the findings of the TOIA evaluation and discusses how these were used to inform the development of the system

The Measurement of Quality of Semantic Standards: the Application of a Quality Model on the SETU standard for eGovernment

eGovernment interoperability should be dealt with using high-quality standards. A quality model for standards is presented based on knowledge from the software engineering domain. In the tradition of action research the model is used on the SETU standard, a standard that is mandatory in the public sector of the Netherlands in order to achieve eGovernment interoperability. This results in improvement suggestions for the SETU standards, just as improvement suggestions for the quality model have been identified. Most importantly it shows that a quality model can be used for several purposes, including selecting standards for eGovernment interoperability

BlogForever D3.2: Interoperability Prospects

This report evaluates the interoperability prospects of the BlogForever platform. Therefore, existing interoperability models are reviewed, a Delphi study to identify crucial aspects for the interoperability of web archives and digital libraries is conducted, technical interoperability standards and protocols are reviewed regarding their relevance for BlogForever, a simple approach to consider interoperability in specific usage scenarios is proposed, and a tangible approach to develop a succession plan that would allow a reliable transfer of content from the current digital archive to other digital repositories is presented

ARGOS policy brief on semantic interoperability

Semantic interoperability requires the use of standards, not only for Electronic Health Record (EHR) data to be transferred and structurally mapped into a receiving repository, but also for the clinical content of the EHR to be interpreted in conformity with the original meanings intended by its authors. Accurate and complete clinical documentation, faithful to the patient’s situation, and interoperability between systems, require widespread and dependable access to published and maintained collections of coherent and quality-assured semantic resources, including models such as archetypes and templates that would (1) provide clinical context, (2) be mapped to interoperability standards for EHR data, (3) be linked to well specified, multi-lingual terminology value sets, and (4) be derived from high quality ontologies. Wide-scale engagement with professional bodies, globally, is needed to develop these clinical information standards

Integrating data from 3D CAD and 3D cameras for Real-Time Modeling

In a reversal of historic trends, the capital facilities industry is expressing an increasing desire for automation of equipment and construction processes. Simultaneously, the industry has become conscious that higher levels of interoperability are a key towards higher productivity and safer projects. In complex, dynamic, and rapidly changing three-dimensional (3D) environments such as facilities sites, cutting-edge 3D sensing technologies and processing algorithms are one area of development that can dramatically impact those projects factors. New 3D technologies are now being developed, with among them 3D camera. The main focus here is an investigation of the feasibility of rapidly combining and comparing – integrating – 3D sensed data (from a 3D camera) and 3D CAD data. Such a capability could improve construction quality assessment, facility aging assessment, as well as rapid environment reconstruction and construction automation. Some preliminary results are presented here. They deal with the challenge of fusing sensed and CAD data that are completely different in nature

Implementation of computer assisted assessment: lessons from the literature

This paper draws attention to literature surrounding the subject of computer-assisted assessment (CAA). A brief overview of traditional methods of assessment is presented, highlighting areas of concern in existing techniques. CAA is then defined, and instances of its introduction in various educational spheres are identified, with the main focus of the paper concerning the implementation of CAA. Through referenced articles, evidence is offered to inform practitioners, and direct further research into CAA from a technological and pedagogical perspective. This includes issues relating to interoperability of questions, security, test construction and testing higher cognitive skills. The paper concludes by suggesting that an institutional strategy for CAA coupled with staff development in test construction for a CAA environment can increase the chances of successful implementation

An evaluation of e-learning standards

The aim of this investigation is to perform an independent study of the various emerging elearning standards. This paper presents a summary of these standards in order to make them more accessible and understandable, and provide preliminary evidence as to their utility and adoption by the various UK higher and further education institutions. Recently there have been efforts to define standards for the elearning contents and elearning components like the IEEELOM, UKLOM, IMS, SCORM and OKI. Since it was not possible to cover all the standards in detail within the time available, so our independent study focuses on eight standards Although the results of the preliminary study suggest that the eight standards considered in the study may help interoperability, accessibility and reusability of the elearning content and elearning components, but it is yet to be seen how many of these are actually followed at UK higher education institutions