Giovanni Fulantelli

The Open Learning Object model to promote Open Educational Resources

In this paper we present the results of research work, that forms part of the activities of the EU-funded project SLOOP: Sharing Learning Objects in an Open Perspective, aimed at encouraging the definition, development and management of Open Educational Resources based on the Learning Object paradigm (Wiley, 2000). We present a model of Open Learning Object (OpenLO) for a greater awareness in the use of LOs by teachers, giving them a more active role in the evolution of educational resources; the OpenLO model extends the concept of reusability, providing pedagogical sustainability. Moreover, we compare FreeLOms, a Learning Object Management System that implements the proposed OpenLO model, to traditional tools for handling LOs. Editors: Patrick McAndrew (Open University, UK). Reviewers: Anonymous Review (Anonymous) and Patrick McAndrew (Open University, UK).

Social knowledge building in a mobile learning environment

According to the social constructivism paradigm, knowledge is not transferred from teachers to students, but is the result of collaborative activities; when these activities take place in a mobile environment, it is extremely important to consider how the temporal and spatial factors can influence the collaborative process. In this work we define a model for mobile Knowledge Building Process (mKBP); starting from this model, we propose to analyse the evolution of a mobile collaborative learning experience through its interactions with the social, the information and the geographic spaces. Finally, we present the methodologies and the tools used to investigate the data gathered during a specific mobile learning experience carried out at the Institute for Educational Technologies of the Italian National Research Council, in the framework of the Mobile and Ubiquitous Learning (MoULe) project.

Hypertext-like structures through a SOM network

III this paper we describe a system whose main aim is supporting a hypertext author to classify and organize a large amount of documents; the system allows the author to have access to the documents with hypertext features, providing some access points and suggesting, for each document, the related ones. The system is an interesting application of the Self Organizing Map network, a neural network widely used to organize multidimensional data; specifically, it is based on two SOM networks, the first one is aimed at organizing collections of documents in “information maps” that display the relations between the content of the documents; the second one identifies access points and splits the maps into meaningful areas. Finally the author can edit both the list of access points and the map through a Web page editor, thus moving the misclassified documents in the right area.

Evaluating Relevance of Educational Resources of Social and Semantic Web

The social web paradigm has modified the way people behave on the Web. Amongst the many consequences of this change the amount of online resources directly produced and shared by users has increased considerably. In this scenario the importance of methods to evaluate the educational relevance of the resources raises up. In this poster we propose an approach based on recent advancements of Linked Open Data.

An Adaptive Open Hypermedia System on the Web

A prototype of an open and adaptive hypertext learning environment on the Web is presented. The nodes of the hypertext system are sorted in clusters which are ordered on a map by a self organizing neural network. This map represents the Information Domain Model on which an overlay model of the learning goal and of the user knowledge is built up. The User Model is made up of a user knowledge model and a preference model that takes into account the users attitude to approaching the information necessary to achieve the learning goal. The Information Domain Model allows users to add new documents to the system that are ordered by the neural network in the appropriate clusters. This maintains the consistency of the User Model and of the learning goal when the number of documents grows.

Search as research practices on the web: the SaR-Web platform for cross-language engine results analysis

Search engines are the most utilized tools to access information on the Web. The success of large companies such as Google owes to their capacity to conduct users through the vast troves of knowledge and information online. Recently, the concept of search as research has been used to shift the research focus from workings of information-seeking tools towards methods for the social study of Web and particularly the social meanings of engine results. In this paper, we present SaR-Web, a web search tool that provides an automatic means to carry out search as research on the Web. It compares the results of same (translated) queries across search engine language domains, thereby enabling cross-linguistic and cross-cultural comparisons of results. SaR-Web outputs enable the comparative study of cultural mores as well as societal associations and concerns, interpreted through search engine results.

Design and evaluation of a mobile learning experience

Analysis of scientific and technological development in the field of mobile learning, with particular reference to design issues and evaluation experiences. Analyzes the characteristics of innovative teaching methods together with proposals for concrete operational tools that allow to design educational interventions for mobile learning.

Educational Linked Data on the Web - Exploring and Analysing the Scope and Coverage

Throughout the last few years, the scale and diversity of datasets published according to Linked Data (LD) principles has increased and also led to the emergence of a wide range of data of educational relevance. However, sufficient insights into the state, coverage and scope of available educational Linked Data seem still missing. In this work, we analyse the scope and coverage of educational linked data on the Web, identifying the most significant resource types and topics and apparent gaps. As part of our findings, results indicate a prevalent bias towards data in areas such as the life sciences as well as computing-related topics. In addition, we investigate the strong correlation of resource types and topics, where specific types have a tendency to be associated with particular types of categories, i.e. topics. Given this correlation, we argue that a dataset is best understood when considering its topics, in the context of its specific resource types. Based on this finding, we also present a Web data exploration tool, which builds on these findings and allows users to navigate through educational linked datasets by considering specific type and topic combinations.

Multimodality in a Mobile Learning Environment

The aim of this paper is to investigate the use of multimodal interfaces as an opportunity for students involved in mobile learning activities to enhance their didactic experience. The MoULe (Mobile and Ubiquitous Learning) system, a technological platform that we developed in order to support on-site learning experiences through handheld devices, allows the students to read and modify the educational content available on a e-learning platform, and to record new information during on site activities, by using different multimedia formats, such as textual notes, annotated audio and photos. Each student can use his/her handheld device to store these notes, or s/he can publish them on the server using a wireless connection. Afterwards, the published notes can be shared amongst the students and used to construct wiki pages. In this paper we analyse conditions under which the multimodality can support the student/learning environment interaction and, consequently, enhance the learning process.

The Lack of Communication and the Need of IT for Supply-Chain Management Strategies in SMEs

The term “Supply Chain Management” (SCM) denotes the creation, integration, planning and control of all elements of universal added-value chains, from the procurement of raw materials to the final delivery to the customer. IT offers huge potentials for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises to activate effective SCM mechanisms. Even though experts estimate the potential saving that can be achieved through the implementation of effective SCM strategies at 3-5 per cent of turnover, SMEs are experiencing a great deal of difficulty in coping with these strategies. Reasons for this, especially among small enterprises (50 employees and under), are to be found in the specific enterprise culture. The results presented in this paper are the outcome of an EU funded project named “Supply Chain Partnership”, a pilot project aimed at analysing the communication, social and technological obstacles to the implementation of effective SCM strategies in SMEs. The focus of this paper is on the Italian experience, and concerns an industrial district located in Sicily.