Iñaki Calvo

Automatic Generation of the Domain Module from Electronic Textbooks: Method and Validation

Technology-supported learning systems have proved to be helpful in many learning situations. These systems require an appropriate representation of the knowledge to be learned, the Domain Module. The authoring of the Domain Module is cost and labor intensive, but its development cost might be lightened by profiting from semiautomatic Domain Module authoring techniques and promoting knowledge reuse. DOM-Sortze is a system that uses natural language processing techniques, heuristic reasoning, and ontologies for the semiautomatic construction of the Domain Module from electronic textbooks. To determine how it might help in the Domain Module authoring process, it has been tested with an electronic textbook, and the gathered knowledge has been compared with the Domain Module that instructional designers developed manually. This paper presents DOM-Sortze and describes the experiment carried out.

ErauzOnt: A Framework for Gathering Learning Objects from Electronic Documents

Retrieving and reusing Learning Objects can lighten the workload of constructing new on-line courses or Technology Supported Learning Systems. The paper presents ErauzOnt, a framework for the automatic generation of new Learning Objects from electronic documents using domain ontologies and Natural Language Processing techniques.

The use of concept maps in Computer Engineering education to promote meaningful learning, creativity and collaboration

Concept maps are graphical tools for organizing and representing knowledge. The fundamentals of concept mapping are in Ausubels learning theory which is based on the assumption that meaningful learning occurs when the new concepts are linked to familiar concepts existing in the learners cognitive structure. Creativity can be seen as a very high level of meaningful learning. Database Principles is a compulsory subject studied in the second year of the Computer Engineering degree at the University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU. The study presented in the paper was designed pursuing a twofold goal: (1) to introduce engineering students the Concept Mapping technique as a way to promote meaningful learning, and (2) to involve engineering students in both a creative and collaborative learning experience using concept maps. Final exam marks showed significant statistical differences among the experimental group and the control group. In addition, participants admitted that the use of the concept mapping technique to fulfill the objectives of this study is applicable to other domains, situations and problems.

Collaborative concept mapping activities in a classroom scenario

The aim of this study is to test collaborative concept mapping activities using computers in a classroom scenario and to evaluate the possibilities that Elkar-CM offers for collaboratively learning non-technical topics. Elkar-CM is a multi-lingual and multi-media software program designed for drawing concept maps (CMs) collaboratively. Concept mapping is a widely accepted technique that promotes meaningful learning. Graphically representing concepts of the learning domain and relationships between them helps students integrate new knowledge into their current cognitive structure. This study was carried out with Social Education degree students at the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU). The experiment included two learning activities. First, all students collaboratively constructed in the classroom a CM on the subject of Moral Development. Second, students were organised into groups to complete the CM generated in the first part.

Evaluating the automatic extraction of learning objects from electronic textbooks using erauzont

Content reuse is one of the major concerns in the Technology Enhanced Learning community. ErauzOnt is a system that uses Natural Language Processing techniques, heuristic reasoning, and ontologies to generate Learning Objects from textbooks. It has been tested with several textbooks written in the Basque language in order to evaluate the automatic construction of Learning Objects.

Identifying Meaningful Concept Map Elements from a Cultural Perspective

This paper presents a questionnaire based intercultural study carried out to identify the differences observed in people when individually interact with the CM-ED Concept Map Editor. Each participant interpreted and localised to his/her own culture a Concept Map (CM) about a sensitive topic. The aim of the study was to identify what visible elements of a CM are meaningful from a cultural perspective and should be treated in a CM editor.

Automating the authoring of learning material in Computer Engineering education

Due to the impact that Information and Communication Technologies have in the current society in general, and in academic institutions in particular, there is a growing need for effective creation and management of digital content. But content authoring is known to be an effort and time consuming task. Digital contents used inside Technology Supported Learning Systems with learning purposes are often referred to as Didactic Resources, or Learning Objects if they are annotated with metadata. One of the main advantages of Learning Objects is that they can be reused to support learning in different platforms or environments. Along this paper an experiment carried out with ErauzOnt, a system that automatically builds Learning Objects from electronic textbooks using Natural Language Processing techniques, ontologies and heuristic reasoning is presented. ErauzOnt was able to gather definitions, examples and exercises for the topics of the Object Oriented Programming subject - a compulsory subject studied at the first year of the Computer Engineering degree at the University of the Basque Country - using as a starting point a textbook written in English.

Introducing computer-based concept mapping to older adults

ABSTRACT The dramatic eruption of information and communication technology has had a remarkable effect on modern life, including the capacity to help older adults improve their quality of life and remain independent longer. However, while technology use is generally widespread, there is an observable underutilization by older people. There is sound evidence that older adults can learn and acquire computer skills just like younger people do, although they might need more time to reach a similar level of mastery. Concept maps (CMs) are considered to be an efficient creativity tool, as they allow the user’s view to be drawn over any domain or issue. An experiment was conducted with older adults using CM-ED (a concept map editor). The experiment had a twofold objective. The first objective was to measure how certain characteristics of the participants (gender, age, background) affect both their performance with such a tool and the quality of the CMs they developed. The second objective was to determine whether CM-ED is suitable for older people.

Collaborative and Multilingual Approach to Learn Database Topics Using Concept Maps

Authors report on a study using the concept mapping technique in computer engineering education for learning theoretical introductory database topics. In addition, the learning of multilingual technical terminology by means of the collaborative drawing of a concept map is also pursued in this experiment. The main characteristics of a study carried out in the database subject at the University of the Basque Country during the 2011/2012 course are described. This study contributes to the field of concept mapping as these kinds of cognitive tools have proved to be valid to support learning in computer engineering education. It contributes to the field of computer engineering education, providing a technique that can be incorporated with several educational purposes within the discipline. Results reveal the potential that a collaborative concept map editor offers to fulfil the above mentioned objectives.

Idea Map Editor: A Tool for Promoting Reflection in the Act of Learning

Along this paper Idea Map Editor is presented, a brainstorming tool based on Concept Maps valid for promoting reflection. Applied to the act of learning, reflection is a mental process that allows participants to use critical thinking to examine presented information, question its validity, and draw conclusions based on the resulting ideas.