Positioning for conceptual development using latent semantic analysis

With increasing opportunities to learn online, the problem of positioning learners in an educational network of content offers new possibilities for the utilisation of geometry-based natural language processing techniques. In this article, the adoption of latent semantic analysis (LSA) for guiding learners in their conceptual development is investigated. We propose five new algorithmic derivations of LSA and test their validity for positioning in an experiment in order to draw back conclusions on the suitability of machine learning from previously accredited evidence. Special attention is thereby directed towards the role of distractors and the calculation of thresholds when using similarities as a proxy for assessing conceptual closeness. Results indicate that learning improves positioning. Distractors are of low value and seem to be replaceable by generic noise to improve threshold calculation. Furthermore, new ways to flexibly calculate thresholds could be identified

A Survey on Documenting and Using Design Rationale when Developing Domain-specific Modeling Languages

This document reports on the results of a survey which is part of a long-term research project conducted at the Institute for Information Systems and New Media at the Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU Vienna) and which targeted experts on domain-pecific modeling languages (DSMLs). We define a DSML as being a specialized modeling language tailored primarily for graphical modeling tasks in a particular application domain, supporting the model-driven development (MDD) of software systems for this domain. As a special kind of domain-specific languages (DSLs), DSMLs provide end users with at least one graphical or diagrammatic concrete syntax; in contrast to textual or form/table-based DSLs, for instance. We asked DSML experts identified via dedicated scientific venues (e.g. authors of published articles, program committee members of conferences, associate editors of journals) to take part in the survey. Venues included premier outlets for researchers and practitioners in the field of MDD and DSMLs, such as, the ACM/IEEE 18th International Conference on Model Driven Engineering Languages and Systems (MoDELS) or the International Journal on Software and Systems Modeling (SoSyM). With this survey, we collected expert opinions on different aspects of documenting and using design rationale when developing DSMLs. In the context of DSML development, design rationale is the reasoning and justification of decisions made when designing, creating, and using the core artifacts of a DSML (e.g. abstract and concrete syntax, behavior specification, metamodeling infrastructure, MDD tool chain). (authors' abstract)Series: Technical Reports / Institute for Information Systems and New Medi

Integration and Test of MOF/UML-based Domain-specific Modeling Languages

In model-driven development (MDD), domain-specific modeling languages (DSMLs) are used as tailor-made software languages targeting dedicated application domains. Due to the narrow domain coverage of DSMLs, demands to integrate their individual functionality into a consolidated DSML arise (e.g., developing a software product combining two or more pre-existing DSMLs). However, in order to realize the benefits of integrated DSMLs, it must be ensured that the integrated DSML is correctly implemented and behaves as specified. To support the integration and the test of DSMLs, this thesis presents an approach targeting the Meta Object Facility (MOF) and the Unified Modeling Language (UML)- a metamodeling infrastructure frequently employed for the MDD of software systems. The integration of DSMLs is based on a rewriting technique for model-to-text (M2T) transformations. This method allows for the reuse as well as for the automatic refactoring of M2T transformation templates to fix important syntactical mismatches between templates and the integrated DSML. To test an integrated DSML, scenarios are used to define domain requirements on an abstract level (via structured text descriptions). In a subsequent step, executable scenario tests are derived from the requirements-level scenarios. These executable scenario specifications are then employed to test the integrated DSML for compliance with corresponding domain requirements. Empirical evaluations of the approach (case studies, controlled experiment) demonstrate its successful application, collect evidence for its usefulness, and quantify its benefits. The integrated proof-of-concept implementations build on the Eclipse Modeling Framework (EMF), making use of and extending well-known Eclipse-based projects. All accompanying developments are placed into the public domain as free/libre open source software. Within the framework of this thesis, research results were originally published as individual contributions (workshop, conference, and journal articles). All research contributions are results of applying a design science research approach. (author's abstract

Applicability of the technology acceptance model for widget-based personal learning environments

This contribution presents results from two exploratory studies on technology acceptance and use of widget-based personal learning environments. Methodologically, the investigation carried out applies the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT). With the help of this instrument, the study assesses expert judgments about intentions to use and actual use of the emerging technology of flexibly arranged combinations of use-case-sized mini learning tools. This study aims to explore the applicability of the UTAUT model and questionnaire for widget-based personal learning environments and reports back on the experiences gained with the two studies

A Catalog of Reusable Design Decisions for Developing UML/MOF-based Domain-specific Modeling Languages

In model-driven development (MDD), domain-specific modeling languages (DSMLs) act as a communication vehicle for aligning the requirements of domain experts with the needs of software engineers. With the rise of the UML as a de facto standard, UML/MOF-based DSMLs are now widely used for MDD. This paper documents design decisions collected from 90 UML/MOF-based DSML projects. These recurring design decisions were gained, on the one hand, by performing a systematic literature review (SLR) on the development of UML/MOF-based DSMLs. Via the SLR, we retrieved 80 related DSML projects for review. On the other hand, we collected decisions from developing ten DSML projects by ourselves. The design decisions are presented in the form of reusable decision records, with each decision record corresponding to a decision point in DSML development processes. Furthermore, we also report on frequently observed (combinations of) decision options as well as on associations between options which may occur within a single decision point or between two decision points. This collection of decision-record documents targets decision makers in DSML development (e.g., DSML engineers, software architects, domain experts).Series: Technical Reports / Institute for Information Systems and New Medi

User-tailored Inter-Widget Communication:Extending the Shared Data Interface for the Apache Wookie Engine

Hoisl, B., Drachsler, H., & Waglecher, C. (2010). User-tailored Inter-Widget Communication. Extending the Shared Data Interface for the Apache Wookie Engine, International Conference on Interactive Computer Aided Learning 2010, Hasselt, Belgium.This paper presents a technical solution for an Inter-Widget Communication in Mash-up Personal Learning Environments enabling the possibility to model basic workflows. It explains the technical background of the widget concept and why Inter-Widget communication can be beneficial especially for e-learning. Related approaches towards an Inter-Widget communication are reviewed and delimited to the suggested approach. Finally, the detailed procedures of the Inter-Widget communication are presented on the basis of the Wookie widget engine.LTfL

Protocol for a Systematic Literature Review on Design Decisions for UML-based DSMLs

Series: Technical Reports / Institute for Information Systems and New Medi

Extracting Reusable Design Decisions for UML-based Domain-specific Languages: A Multi-Method Study

When developing domain-specific modeling languages (DSMLs), software engineers have to make a number of important design decisions on the DSML itself, or on the software-development process that is applied to develop the DSML. Thus, making well-informed design decisions is a critical factor in developing DSMLs. To support this decision-making process, the model-driven development community has started to collect established design practices in terms of patterns, guidelines, story-telling, and procedural models. However, most of these documentation practices do not capture the details necessary to reuse the rationale behind these decisions in other DSML projects. In this paper, we report on a three-year research effort to compile and to empirically validate a catalog of structured decision descriptions (decision records) for UML-based DSMLs. This catalog is based on design decisions extracted from 90 DSML projects. These projects were identified - among others - via an extensive systematic literature review (SLR) for the years 2005 - 2012. Based on more than 8,000 candidate publications, we finally selected 84 publications for extracting design-decision data. The extracted data were evaluated quantitatively using a frequent-item-set analysis to obtain characteristic combinations of design decisions and qualitatively to document recurring documentation issues for UML-based DSMLs. We revised the collected decision records based on this evidence and made the decision-record catalog for developing UML-based DSMLs publicly available. Furthermore, our study offers insights into UML usage (e.g. diagram types) and into the adoption of UML extension techniques (e.g. metamodel extensions, profiles)

Services approach & overview general tools and resources

The contents of this deliverable are split into three groups. Following an introduction, a concept and vision is sketched on how to establish the necessary natural language processing (NLP) services including the integration of existing resources. Therefore, an overview on the state-of-the-art is given, incorporating technologies developed by the consortium partners and beyond, followed by the service approach and a practical example. Second, a concept and vision on how to create interoperability for the envisioned learning tools to allow for a quick and painless integration into existing learning environment(s) is elaborated. Third, generic paradigms and guidelines for service integration are provided.The work on this publication has been sponsored by the LTfLL STREP that is funded by the European Commission's 7th Framework Programme. Contract 212578 [http://www.ltfll-project.org

D2.4. Building a Personal Learning Environment with Language-Technology-based Widgets: Services v2 - integrated thread

Hoisl, B., Haley, D., Wild, F., Anastasiou, L., Buelow, K., Koblische, R., Burek, G., Loiseau, M., Markus, T., Rebedea, T., Drachsler, H., Kometter, H., Westerhout, E., & Posea, V. (2010). D2.4. Building a Personal Learning Environment with Language-Technology-based Widgets: Services v2 - integrated thread. LTfLL-project.This deliverable reports on the results achieved by the LTfLL work packages in their efforts toward interoperability of the LTfLL tools and services. There are two aspects: one is the pedagogical utility of achieving interoperability; the other aspect involves the technical features. The technical basis of the interoperability is to use Wookie widgets in Elgg and is thoroughly described here. Finally, the deliverable provides details and screen shots of each widget for each LTfLL service embedded in the Elgg environment.The work on this publication has been sponsored by the LTfLL STREP that is funded by the European Commission's 7th Framework Programme. Contract 212578 [http://www.ltfll-project.org