Context-Aware and Adaptable eLearning Systems

The full text file attached to this record contains a copy of the thesis without the authors publications attached. The list of publications that are attached to the complete thesis can be found on pages 6-7 in the thesis.This thesis proposed solutions to some shortcomings to current eLearning architectures. The proposed DeLC architecture supports context-aware and adaptable provision of eLearning services and electronic content. The architecture is fully distributed and integrates service-oriented development with agent technology. Central to this architecture is that a node is our unit of computation (known as eLearning node) which can have purely service-oriented architecture, agent-oriented architecture or mixed architecture. Three eLeaerning Nodes have been implemented in order to demonstrate the vitality of the DeLC concept. The Mobile eLearning Node uses a three-level communication network, called InfoStations network, supporting mobile service provision. The services, displayed on this node, are to be aware of its context, gather required learning material and adapted to the learner request. This is supported trough a multi-layered hybrid (service- and agent-oriented) architecture whose kernel is implemented as middleware. For testing of the middleware a simulation environment has been developed. In addition, the DeLC development approach is proposed. The second eLearning node has been implemented as Education Portal. The architecture of this node is poorly service-oriented and it adopts a client-server architecture. In the education portal, there are incorporated education services and system services, called engines. The electronic content is kept in Digital Libraries. Furthermore, in order to facilitate content creators in DeLC, the environment Selbo2 was developed. The environment allows for creating new content, editing available content, as well as generating educational units out of preexisting standardized elements. In the last two years, the portal is used in actual education at the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics, University of Plovdiv. The third eLearning node, known as Agent Village, exhibits a purely agent-oriented architecture. The purpose of this node is to provide intelligent assistance to the services deployed on the Education Pportal. Currently, two kinds of assistants are implemented in the node - eTesting Assistants and Refactoring eLearning Environment (ReLE). A more complex architecture, known as Education Cluster, is presented in this thesis as well. The Education Cluster incorporates two eLearning nodes, namely the Education Portal and the Agent Village. eLearning services and intelligent agents interact in the cluster

Development of a Refactoring Learning Environment

This paper describes a Refactoring Learning Environment, which is intended to analyze and assess programming code, based on refactoring rules. The Refactoring Learning Environment architecture includes an intelligent assistant – Refactoring Agent, which is responsible for analysis and assessment of the code, written by students in real time by using a set of refactoring methods. According to the situation and based on the refactoring method, which should be applied, the agent could react in different ways. Its goal is to show the student, as much as possible, the weak places of his programming code and the possible ways to makes it better

Personalization and User Modeling in Adaptive E-Learning Systems for Schools

The manuscript presents a model for the personalization of e-Learning systems in secondary schools. Approaches are discussed about the implementation of this model by the application of the SCORM-standard, ITL (ITL-Interval and temporal logic), policies, etc. Comments on the possibilities for increasing the relevance of e-Learning systems in the real classroom environment schools are also included

E-Learning

E-learning enables students to pace their studies according to their needs, making learning accessible to (1) people who do not have enough free time for studying - they can program their lessons according to their available schedule; (2) those far from a school (geographical issues), or the ones unable to attend classes due to some physical or medical restriction. Therefore, cultural, geographical and physical obstructions can be removed, making it possible for students to select their path and time for the learning course. Students are then allowed to choose the main objectives they are suitable to fulfill. This book regards E-learning challenges, opening a way to understand and discuss questions related to long-distance and lifelong learning, E-learning for people with special needs and, lastly, presenting case study about the relationship between the quality of interaction and the quality of learning achieved in experiences of E-learning formation

Някои идеи за използване на интервална темпорална логика и политики в система за електронно обучение

Доклад, поместен в сборника на Националната конференция "Образованието в информационното общество", Пловдив, май, 2010 г.В статията се обсъждат някои идеи за персонализация на учебния процес и адаптивност на система за електронно обучение към потребителските знания, предпочитания и цели, чрез използване на интервална темпорална логика и политики.Асоциация "Развитие на информационното общество", Институт по математика и информатика при БАН, Пловдивски университе

Strengthening Civic Commitment at Winona State University: Evaluating the Past and Celebrating the Future

Upon arriving at the American Democracy Project National Meeting Concurrent Session in San Antonio Texas, Laura Lake, Courtney Juelicj and Alexandra Griffin will be presenting along side Dr. Kara Lindaman, on the topic of Stengthening Civic Commitment at Winona State University: Evaluating the Past and Celebrating the future. In addition to the twenty-minuet presentation, students will be Leading the National Issure Forum delebrative dialogue, Shaping our Future: How should Higher Education Help Us Create the Society We Want? This session is a presentation on the National Information Forum that these students organized and moderated for in April 2012, in honor of President Judith Ramaley\u27s retirement. The students will also be attending sessions to enhance their education and experience in democratic processes and participatiion and to have the opportunity to network and learn from professionals in many different fields of their interests. Our faculty sponsor did not require a final repor