Evaluating Recommender Systems for Technology Enhanced Learning: A Quantitative Survey

The increasing number of publications on recommender systems for Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) evidence a growing interest in their development and deployment. In order to support learning, recommender systems for TEL need to consider specific requirements, which differ from the requirements for recommender systems in other domains like e-commerce. Consequently, these particular requirements motivate the incorporation of specific goals and methods in the evaluation process for TEL recommender systems. In this article, the diverse evaluation methods that have been applied to evaluate TEL recommender systems are investigated. A total of 235 articles are selected from major conferences, workshops, journals, and books where relevant work have been published between 2000 and 2014. These articles are quantitatively analysed and classified according to the following criteria: type of evaluation methodology, subject of evaluation, and effects measured by the evaluation. Results from the survey suggest that there is a growing awareness in the research community of the necessity for more elaborate evaluations. At the same time, there is still substantial potential for further improvements. This survey highlights trends and discusses strengths and shortcomings of the evaluation of TEL recommender systems thus far, thereby aiming to stimulate researchers to contemplate novel evaluation approaches.Laboratorio de Investigación y Formación en Informática Avanzad

Evaluating Recommender Systems for Technology Enhanced Learning: A Quantitative Survey

The increasing number of publications on recommender systems for Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) evidence a growing interest in their development and deployment. In order to support learning, recommender systems for TEL need to consider specific requirements, which differ from the requirements for recommender systems in other domains like e-commerce. Consequently, these particular requirements motivate the incorporation of specific goals and methods in the evaluation process for TEL recommender systems. In this article, the diverse evaluation methods that have been applied to evaluate TEL recommender systems are investigated. A total of 235 articles are selected from major conferences, workshops, journals, and books where relevant work have been published between 2000 and 2014. These articles are quantitatively analysed and classified according to the following criteria: type of evaluation methodology, subject of evaluation, and effects measured by the evaluation. Results from the survey suggest that there is a growing awareness in the research community of the necessity for more elaborate evaluations. At the same time, there is still substantial potential for further improvements. This survey highlights trends and discusses strengths and shortcomings of the evaluation of TEL recommender systems thus far, thereby aiming to stimulate researchers to contemplate novel evaluation approaches.Laboratorio de Investigación y Formación en Informática Avanzad

Implementation of Skill-Based, Transdisciplinary Competencies and Their Influence on Teacher Practice

Competency-based education has been a growing movement in K-12 education but faces several implementation challenges. In addition, discussion in the field is lacking related to the competency-based principle: learning outcomes emphasize the authentic application of knowledge. New to the competency-based field are proficiencies called competencies, which are skill-based, transdisciplinary proficiencies that are structured across a continuum of varying performance levels. This study employed a case study methodology utilizing teacher and educational leader interviews as well as artifacts to explore the implementation of competencies in a competency-based organization and two schools that partnered with it. This study specifically investigated how competencies are implemented at these schools, how competencies influence teacher practice, and implementation challenges. Major themes in the findings include a comprehensive description of: (1) competencies and their deliberate connection to authentic, agentic learning experiences, (2) a dynamic of push and pull between competencies, content, and project-based learning, (3) notable mindsets amongst teachers, (4) characteristics of classroom preparation and practices, (5) professional development, and (6) challenges. This study concludes with implications that address: (1) increasing teacher capacity for competency-based education, (2) developing structures to support authenticity and agency, (3) using competencies as proficiencies and as a tool for teaching, (4) the intersection to other educational fields including social & emotional learning, project-based learning, and service learning, (5) potential solutions to identified challenges, and (6) system-wide structures that may better support competency-based education at scale

M-learning in the middle east: The case of Bahrain

The introduction of e-learning in higher education has brought radical changes in the way undergraduate and postgraduate programmes are designed and delivered. University students now have access to their courses anytime, anywhere, which makes e-learning and m-learning popular and fashionable among university students globally. Nevertheless, instructors are now challenged, as they have to adopt new pedagogies in learning and teaching. This chapter explores the adoption of m-learning at universities in the Kingdom of Bahrain, as well as the relevant current developments and challenges related to the major stakeholders (educators and students) in higher education. It mainly investigates the educators' views and perceptions of m-learning, as well as its future potential in higher education. Most of the educators use m-learning tools to some limited extent, and there is still opportunity to reach full integration with curriculum and the blended learning approach. Further, it is proposed that professional development should be provided to instructors to enable them to use the available new technologies in an appropriate and effective way

TEACHERS’ PERCEPTIONS OF LEADERSHIP SUPPORT FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN URBAN MIDDLE SCHOOLS

This qualitative multi-site case study examined teachers’ perceptions of leadership support for their implementation of a learning management system (LMS) to facilitate blended learning in urban middle schools. Understanding teachers’ perceptions of leadership actions to encourage the implementation of new innovations will allow leaders to provide materials, resources, and support to effectively increase the incorporation of blended learning in classrooms. Qualitative data were collected through interview sessions with 10 middle school educators who taught at two dichotomous schools. The data was triangulated with artifacts and the research literature to provide an in-depth depiction of the perceptions and experiences of teachers who have used an LMS in classroom instruction. Findings showed that strong organizational infrastructures are needed for teachers to adopt an LMS for instruction. Additional findings included the need for ongoing and consistent coaching support for successful LMS implementation. The study also showed that teachers’ perceived administrators who incorporated the components of systems thinking as supportive instructional leaders. The case study findings revealed a need for additional research in the fields of systems thinking educational leadership, instructional coaching, and community responsiveness

Evaluating Recommender Systems for Technology Enhanced Learning: A Quantitative Survey

The increasing number of publications on recommender systems for Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) evidence a growing interest in their development and deployment. In order to support learning, recommender systems for TEL need to consider specific requirements, which differ from the requirements for recommender systems in other domains like e-commerce. Consequently, these particular requirements motivate the incorporation of specific goals and methods in the evaluation process for TEL recommender systems. In this article, the diverse evaluation methods that have been applied to evaluate TEL recommender systems are investigated. A total of 235 articles are selected from major conferences, workshops, journals, and books where relevant work have been published between 2000 and 2014. These articles are quantitatively analysed and classified according to the following criteria: type of evaluation methodology, subject of evaluation, and effects measured by the evaluation. Results from the survey suggest that there is a growing awareness in the research community of the necessity for more elaborate evaluations. At the same time, there is still substantial potential for further improvements. This survey highlights trends and discusses strengths and shortcomings of the evaluation of TEL recommender systems thus far, thereby aiming to stimulate researchers to contemplate novel evaluation approaches.Laboratorio de Investigación y Formación en Informática Avanzad

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