-------- Original-Nachricht -------- Betreff: [isworld] The contents of the latest issue of IJDET Vo. 7, No. 2 Datum: Tue, 31 Mar 2009 22:53:11 +0900 Von: Qun Jin jin@waseda.jp Antwort an: Qun Jin jin@waseda.jp An: AISWORLD Information Systems World Network isworld@lyris.isworld.org
The contents of the latest issue of:
International Journal of Distance Education Technologies (IJDET) Official Publication of the Information Resources Management Association Volume 7, Issue 2, April-June 2009 Published: Quarterly in Print and Electronically ISSN: 1539-3100 EISSN: 1539-3119 Published by IGI Publishing, Hershey-New York, USA www.igi-global.com/ijdet
Editors-in-Chief: Qun Jin, Waseda University, Japan
GUEST EDITORIAL PREFACE
Advanced E-Learning Technologies and Applications
Frederick W.B. Li, University of Durham, UK Howard Leung, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
E-learning has become very popular recently as it allows students to study without any time and location constraints. Through the advanced technological support in e-Learning, the learning outcome of the students can be maximized according to their learning ability; many institutions or organizations have begun to adopt e-learning systems to enhance both the learning and teaching process. However, there still exist some substantial problems to solve before e-learning systems can be made ideal for serving the community. In particular, we need a way to formulate e-learning content such that one may effectively retrieve relevant pieces of learning material from an e-learning system. Moreover, e-learning content should also be presented in an organized way in order to provide a good perception and understanding for e-Learning users. The sixth International Conference on Web-based Learning 2007 (ICWL'07) was held in August 2007 in Edinburgh, United Kingdom. It was part of our continuous effort to address many of the above-mentioned issues. This special issue collects the extended version of some of the best papers presented at the conference.
To read the guest editor preface, please consult this issue of IJDET in your institution's library.
PAPER ONE
A Novel Architecture for E-Learning Knowledge Assessment Systems
Krzysztof Gierłowski, Gdansk University of Technology, Poland Krzysztof Nowicki, Gdansk University of Technology, Poland
In this article, the authors propose a novel e-learning system dedicated strictly to knowledge assessment tasks. In its functioning it utilizes Web-based technologies, but its design differs radically from currently popular e-learning solutions which rely mostly on thin-client architecture. In their design, the authors employ a loosely-tied distributed system architecture, strict modularity, test, simulation-based knowledge and skill assessment, and an original communications package called communication abstraction layer (ComAL), specifically designed to support communication functions of e-learning systems in diverse network conditions.
To obtain a copy of the entire article, click on the link below. http://www.infosci-on-demand.com/content/details.asp?ID=32124
PAPER TWO
Supporting Interoperability and Context-Awareness in E-Learning through Situation-Driven Learning Processes
Stefan Dietze, Open University, UK Alessio Gugliotta, Open University, UK John Domingue, Open University, UK
Current e-learning technologies primarily follow a data and metadata-centric paradigm by providing the learner with composite content containing the learning resources and the learning process description, usually based on specific metadata standards such as ADL SCORM or IMS learning design. Due to the design-time binding of learning resources, the actual learning context cannot be considered appropriately at runtime, what limits the usability and interoperability of learning resources. This paper proposes situation-driven learning processes (SDLP) which describe learning processes semantically from two perspectives: the user perspective and the system perspective. A learning process is composed dynamically and accomplished in terms of SWS goal achievements by automatically allocating learning resources at runtime. Metadata standard-independent SDLP are mapped to established standards such as ADL SCORM and IMS LD. This article describes a prototypical application to prove feasibility.
To obtain a copy of the entire article, click on the link below. http://www.infosci-on-demand.com/content/details.asp?ID=32125
PAPER THREE
Adaptivity in ProPer: An Adaptive SCORM Compliant LMS
Ioannis Kazanidis, University of Macedonia, Greece Maya Satratzemi, University of Macedonia, Greece
Adaptive educational hypermedia systems provide personalized educational content to learners; however, most of them do not support the functionality of learning management systems (LMS) and the reusability of their courses is hard work. On the other hand some LMS support SCORM specifications but do not provide adaptive features. This article presents ProPer, a LMS that conforms to SCORM specifications and provides adaptive hypermedia courses. ProPer manages and delivers SCORM compliant courses and personalizes them according to learner's knowledge, goals and personal characteristics. In addition learner's progress and behavior is monitored and useful feedback is returned to tutors. ProPer is used for an adaptive java programming course distribution for CS1 students. Statistical feedback will be gathered by tutors in order to improve course effectiveness. The authors analyze the system's architecture and functionality and provide a brief technological background.
To obtain a copy of the entire article, click on the link below. http://www.infosci-on-demand.com/content/details.asp?ID=32126
PAPER FOUR
A Rule-Based System for Test Quality Improvement
Gennaro Costagliola, University of Salerno, Italy Vittorio Fuccella, University of Salerno, Italy
To correctly evaluate learners' knowledge, it is important to administer tests composed of good quality question items. By the term "quality", the authors intend the potential of an item in effectively discriminating between skilled and untrained students and in obtaining tutor's desired difficulty level. This article presents a rule-based e-testing system which assists tutors in obtaining better question items through subsequent test sessions. After each test session, the system automatically detects items' quality and provides the tutors with advice about what to do with each of them. The proposed system has been experimented in a course at the University of Salerno.
To obtain a copy of the entire article, click on the link below. http://www.infosci-on-demand.com/content/details.asp?ID=32127
PAPER FIVE
Statistical Inference-Based Cache Management for Mobile Learning
Qing Li, Zhejiang Normal University, China Jianmin Zhao, Zhejiang Normal University, China Xinzhong Zhu, Zhejiang Normal University, China
Supporting efficient data access in the mobile learning environment is becoming a hot research problem in recent years, and the problem becomes tougher when the clients use light-weight mobile devices such as cell phones. A practical solution is to store the cache data at some proxies nearby, so that mobile devices can access the data from these proxies instead of data servers in order to reduce the latency time. However, when mobile devices move freely, the cache data may not enhance the overall performance because it may become too far away for the clients to access. In this article, the authors propose a statistical caching mechanism which makes use of prior knowledge (statistical data) to predict the pattern of user movement and then replicates/migrates the cache objects among different proxies. The authors propose a statistical inference based heuristic search algorithm to accommodate dynamic mobile data access in the mobile learning environment.
To obtain a copy of the entire article, click on the link below. http://www.infosci-on-demand.com/content/details.asp?ID=32128
PAPER SIX
A 3D Geometry Model Search Engine to Support Learning
Gary K.L. Tam, Durham University, UK, and Zhejiang Normal University, China Rynson W.H. Lau, Zhejiang Normal University, China, and City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Jianmin Zhao, Zhejiang Normal University, China
Due to the popularity of 3D graphics in animation and games, usage of 3D geometry deformable models increases dramatically. Despite their growing importance, these models are difficult and time consuming to build. A distance learning system for the construction of these models could greatly facilitate students to learn and practice at different time and geographical locations. In such a system, an important component is the search engine, which serves as both the source of teaching materials and a platform for sharing resources. Although there have been a lot of works on text and multimedia retrieval, search engines for 3D models are still in its infant stage. In this article, the authors investigate two important issues: feature analysis. The method offers a mechanism to extract, index, match, and efficiently retrieve features from these models.
To obtain a copy of the entire article, click on the link below. http://www.infosci-on-demand.com/content/details.asp?ID=32129
***************************************************** For full copies of the above articles, check for this issue of the International Journal of Distance Education Technologies (IJDET) in your institution's library. This journal is also included in the IGI Global aggregated "InfoSci-Journals" database: www.infosci-journals.com. *****************************************************
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Mission of IJDET:
The International Journal of Distance Education Technologies (IJDET) publishes original research articles of distance education four issues per year. IJDET is a primary forum for researchers and practitioners to disseminate practical solutions to the automation of open and distance learning. The journal is targeted to academic researchers and engineers who work with distance learning programs and software systems, as well as general participants of distance education.
Coverage of IJDET:
Discussions of computational methods, algorithms, implemented prototype systems, and applications of open and distance learning are the focuses of this publication. Practical experiences and surveys of using distance learning systems are also welcome. Distance education technologies published in IJDET will be divided into three categories, communication technologies, intelligent technologies, and educational technologies:
Automatic assessment methods Automatic FAQ reply methods Broadband and wireless communication tools Copyright protection and authentication mechanisms Distributed systems Effective and efficient authoring systems Individualized distance learning Intelligent tutoring Mobile systems Multimedia streaming technology Multimedia synchronization controls Neural network or statistical approaches to behavior analysis New network infrastructures Practical and new learning models Quality-of service issues Real-time protocols
Interested authors should consult the journal's manuscript submission guidelines at www.igi-global.com/ijdet
All inquiries and submissions should be sent to: Editor-in-Chief: Dr. Qun Jin, jin@waseda.jp