Integration of simulation and multimedia in automatically generated Internet courses

The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/0-306-47532-4_5This paper describes the automatic generation of simulation-based Internet courses by means of an object-oriented continuous simulation language (OOCSMP), and a compiler for this language (C-OOL). Several multimedia extensions added to the language are also described. These extensions provide the student with a better understanding of the simulated models. The paper finally describes a course developed using the multimedia extensions

¿Basta la prueba de Turing para definir la “inteligencia artificial”?

Since 1950, when Alan Turing proposed his famous test to define artificial intelligence, no computer program has come near to fulfill it. Now that this goal seems a little closer and Turing test looks insufficient, it is convenient to remember John Searle’s argumentation against Turing test.En los 64 años transcurridos desde que Alan Turing propuso su famosa prueba para definir la inteligencia artificial, ningún programa de ordenador se había aproximado a cumplirla. Ahora que este objetivo parece un poco más cercano y la prueba de Turing comienza a parecer insuficiente, conviene recordar los argumentos de John Searle en su contra

The impact of learning styles on student grouping for collaborative learning: a case study

The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11257-006-9012-7Learning style models constitute a valuable tool for improving individual learning by the use of adaptation techniques based on them. In this paper, we present how the benefit of considering learning styles with adaptation purposes, as part of the user model, can be extended to the context of collaborative learning as a key feature for group formation. We explore the effects that the combination of students with different learning styles in specific groups may have in the final results of the tasks accomplished by them collaboratively. With this aim, a case study with 166 students of computer science has been carried out, from which conclusions are drawn. We also describe how an existing web-based system can take advantage of learning style information in order to form more productive groups. Our ongoing work concerning the automatic extraction of grouping rules starting from data about previous interactions within the system is also outlined. Finally, we present our challenges, related to the continuous improvement of collaboration by the use and dynamic modification of automatic grouping rules.This project has been funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Education, TIN2004-03140