Jozef Wagner

The role of ontologies in collaborative systems

This paper deals with the role of ontologies in collaborative systems. The research field of collaborative systems and their support by information and communication technologies describes theory called CSCW (computer supported cooperative work). During last few years the CSCW has been evolving and extending, e.g. CSCL (computer supported collaborative learning) has emerged. With a well-defined ontology structure, CSCL can accumulate the knowledge representation of learning objects, including participant background, group information, instruction designs, learning activities and learning outcomes.

Analyses of Knowledge Creation Processes Based on Different Types of Monitored Data

This paper presents specialized methods for analyzing knowledge creation processes and knowledge practices that are (at least partially) projected in work within a virtual collaborative environment. Support for such analysis and evaluation of knowledge creation processes is provided by historical data stored in a virtual working environment, and describes various aspects of the monitored processes (e.g. semantic information, content, log of activities, etc.). The proposed analytical methods cover different types of analysis, such as (a) statistic analysis, that provides information about processes, and the possibility to visualize such information based on user-selected presentation modes; (b) time-line based analysis that supports visualization of the real process execution with all relevant information, including the possibility to identify and further analyze working patterns in knowledge creation processes (projection of knowledge practices). Experimental evaluation of the proposed methods is carried out within the IST EU project called KP-Lab.

Use of Semantic Principles in a Collaborative System in Order to Support Effective Information Retrieval

This paper focuses on information retrieval aspects of a new application in domain of collaborative systems based on utilization of semantic principles for representation of different types of knowledge, collaborative objects and relations between them. Proposed collaborative system (within European IST project called KP-Lab) uses ontologies as common communication framework and exchange format for different types of end-user tools. Theoretical background is provided by innovative theoretical approach called Trialogical learning. Information retrieval in KP-Lab System is supported by designed and implemented text-mining and search services. These two sets of functionalities provide features for management of shared objects, described with content in textual format, as well as with semantic metadata.

Mirroring Tools for CollaborativeAnalysis and Reflection

Analysing and reflecting on one’s own and other’s working practices is an essential meta-activity for any kind of project work, but also plays a prominent role in the type of object-oriented inquiry and trialogical learning the KP-Lab project is focusing on. Analysis and reflection, therefore, are not understood just as means to optimize or improve a given way of working but also as an active and productive process, geared towards the advancement of knowledge practices.

Java RDF framework for knowledge repository

This paper describes basic features of a client library called Persistence API that provides access point to knowledge repositories based on RDF standard. Persistence API (P-API) has been implemented within FP6 IST project called Knowledge Practices Laboratory in order to separate business logic from data representation in RDF. This approach enables simple integration and communication between end-user applications and knowledge repository. The development of P-API is still ongoing, with new features such as support for Search services implemented in recent releases.

Investigation of Performed User Activities in Overall Context with IT Analytical Framework

Collaborative user activities represent an important source of knowledge and experiences that can be identified with suitable discovery methods. These activities are typically realized within collaborative environments which in several cases offer only a simple analytical module providing basic statistical information. However, these results are not sufficient for deeper understanding of performed activities, processes behind realized actions, hidden relations, etc. A motivation to discover and understand such knowledge from user activities led us to design a formal representation of historical events and method for their advanced analysis. This paper describes and evaluates a semi-automatic procedure of pattern definition and discovery that can assist and simplify manual evaluation of collected data by teachers, researchers or evaluators.

The use of event logs for collaborative practices reflection

The aim of this paper is to present an original solution for reflection on collaborative practices within learning or working processes mediated by a virtual environment, from which the events are logged and used for analysis. The stored event logs cover performed user activities or single actions in investigated collaborative environment. On the middleware level several services are implemented to manage effective logging mechanism and to execute straight analytical methods that work with available dataset and provide results in specified format. In described case, timeline-based visualisation has been designed, implemented and evaluated as an attractive and effective solution for students, teachers, researchers and professionals. The explanation of historical data is a core element of the complex evaluation in order to identify positive or negative aspects of used practices.