Towards a semantic modeling of learners for social networks

The Friend of a Friend (FOAF) ontology is a vocabulary for mapping social networks. In this paper we propose an extension to FOAF in order to allow it to model learners and their social networks. We analyse FOAF alongside different learner modeling standards and specifications, and based on this analysis we introduce a taxonomy of the different features found in those models. We then compare the learner models and FOAF against the taxonomy to see how their characteristics have been shaped by their purpose. Based on this we propose extensions to FOAF in order to produce a learner model that is capable of forming the basis of a semantic social network.<br/

Negotiation as an interaction mechanism for deciding app permissions

On the Android platform, apps make use of personal data as part of their business model, trading location, contacts, photos and more for app use. Few people are particularly aware of the permission settings or make changes to them. We hypothesize that both the difficulty in checking permission settings for all apps on a device, along with the lack of flexibility in deciding what happens to one's data, makes the perceived cost to protect one's privacy too high. In this paper, we present the preliminary results of a study that explores what happens when permission settings are more discretional at install time. We present the results of a pilot experiment, in which we ask users to negotiate which data they are happy to share, and we show that this results in higher user satisfaction than the typical take-it-or-leave-it setting. Our preliminary findings suggest negotiating consent is a powerful interaction mechanism that engages users and can enable them to strike a balance between privacy and pricing concerns

The role of social networks in students' learning experiences

SIGCSE December 2007.The aim of this research is to investigate the role of social networks in computer science education. The Internet shows great potential for enhancing collaboration between people and the role of social software has become increasingly relevant in recent years. This research focuses on analyzing the role that social networks play in students’ learning experiences. The construction of students’ social networks, the evolution of these networks, and their effects on the students’ learning experience in a university environment are examined.Keywords: Social network, computer science education, student experience, higher education, learning proces

The role of social networks in students’ learning experiences

The aim of this research is to investigate the role of social networks in computer science education. The Internet shows great potential for enhancing collaboration between people and the role of social software has become increasingly relevant in recent years. This research focuses on analyzing the role that social networks play in students’ learning experiences. The construction of students’ social networks, the evolution of these networks, and their effects on the students’ learning experience in a university environment are examined

Allergic sensitization to common pets (cats/dogs) according to different possible modalities of exposure: an Italian Multicenter Study

Background: The query "are there animals at home?" is usually administered for collecting information on anamnesis. This modality to consider exposure to pet allergens constitutes a potential bias in epidemiological studies and in clinical practice. The aim of our study was to evaluate/quantify different modalities of exposure to cat/dog in inducing allergic sensitization. Methods: Thirty Italian Allergy units participated in this study. Each centre was required to collect the data of at least 20 consecutive outpatients sensitized to cat/dog allergens. A standardized form reported all demographic data and a particular attention was paid in relieving possible modalities of exposure to cat/dog. Results: A total 723 patients sensitized to cat/dog were recorded, 359 (49.65%) reported direct pet contact, 213 patients (29.46%) were pet owners, and 146 subjects (20.19%) were exposed to pets in other settings. Other patients were sensitized by previous pet ownership (150-20.75%) or indirect contact (103-14.25%), in 111 subjects (15.35%) any contact was reported. Conclusions: Only 213 patients (29.46%) would be classified as "exposed to animals" and 510 (70.54%) as "not exposed" according to usual query. Our classification has shown that many "not-exposed" subjects (399-55.19%) were "really exposed". The magnitude of exposure to pet allergens at home is not related exclusively to pet ownership. These considerations should be taken into account during the planning of epidemiological studies and in clinical practice for the management of pet allergic individuals

Improving users’ awareness interactions in the collaborative document authoring process: the CAWS approach

Awareness of individual and group activities is critical to successful collaborative authoring. Participants require knowledge of what other contributors are doing and have done, what meaningful changes have been made to a document, and who is editing each section of a document and why. With this information, group dynamics can be improved and members can work more efficiently toward the final product.In this thesis, key problems in collaborative activities are identified through a review of previous research on the subject and from field research of authors engaged in collaborative work. From these initial observations we deduce that many problems in collaborative writing occur due to technology that hinders the proper distribution of information to members of the group. The concept of “awareness”, identified in past research, is discussed, and used as a model to explain the underlying causes behind these common problems.As a specific example of the importance of communication and coordination mechanisms, an analysis is presented of the Wikibooks website, an online collaborative writing site that allows volunteers to work together to develop free textbooks. Statistical analysis of historical data from the site is used to correlate successful books with efficient use of planning, communication and coordination techniques. These results help to further cement the importance of communication and awareness channels.From analysis of these issues, a set of requirements is defined for an effective collaboration tool, specifically the features that such a tool should include in order to support the types of awareness that are necessary for successful collaboration. Existing groupware systems are compared and judged against these requirements, with the discovery that most systems lack support for many different types of awareness.To investigate the subject further, a prototype co-authoring system with features to support awareness (CAWS), developed as part of this research, is described. It is explained how these features attempt to reproduce some of the communications channels implicitly present within an office environment. The results of a usability study using the CAWS system are then presented, with particular reference to the effectiveness of the features of the system. Feedback from participants was gathered with respect to usefulness and ease of gathering information about other users? progress and interactions with the workspace with these features present.Finally the observations, findings and the implications of a real world groupware evaluation are presented (undertaken over a period of 17 weeks with 85 students divided into 15 groups). The groupware evaluation gives insight into the effectiveness of awareness mechanisms. This includes the role and effect of planning, the effect of the choice of tool on perceptions of awareness, the relative importance of awareness and how awareness contributes to a successful collaboration. We discuss the outcomes of the research with respect to the research questions and contribution, presenting how the research could be continued in the future

CAWS: Improving users’ awareness for advancing effectiveness of co-authoring activities

The aim of this research is to identify the key problems in collaborative authoring, based on collected field data (a field study of the co-authoring process and an observational study of awareness), and a review of previous research on the subject. From this, potential criteria are identified which support awareness in collaborative authoring. Existing tools (analysis) are compared using these criteria. Finally, a prototype system, CAWS, is described. This system is designed to enhance users’ awareness in order to improve productivity in collaborative development of documents. Experiments will lead to a greater understanding of the quantitative effects of awareness on collaboration