Kiriakos Patriarcheas

Modelling of distance education forum: Formal languages as interpretation methodology of messages in asynchronous text-based discussion

This article presents a study carried out in the area of distance learning electronic forums. Based on the relevant bibliographic review, electronic forums are increasingly becoming part of the learning process. The specific study was stimulated by previous works relevant to the modelling of the behaviour of IT students at Hellenic Open University (HOU) and addresses the issue of distance learning forum modelling using a formal language, aiming to fill the gap that exists in this area, which is demonstrated by the relevant bibliographic review. For this purpose: (a) a relevant note was submitted to HOUs forums, (b) the main concepts of formal languages were specified, (c) a formal language was created which was specified using mathematical terms and represents the messages of HOUs forum, (d) the correctness of such language was verified using specific examples of its function, (e) a language syntactic check algorithm was designed, (f) the parameters impacting on the effectiveness of a distance learning forum were determined, (g) concepts such as time, group size and volume of information were incorporated into the language and (h) efforts were made to identify the factors impacting on the effectiveness of a distance learning forum and the following concepts were incorporated: time, group size and volume of information, in the language.

Usability Assessment Heuristics in New Genre Videogames

In this paper, we introduce a new set of heuristics that can be used to carry out usability studies on new genre video games. The definition new genre games refers to videogames that use specific and unique equipment or are part of a general software category such as platforms of social networking. Based on videogame usability problems stated in game reviews on relevant websites and in earlier scientific researches, heuristics were developed to help resolve usability problems in gameplay and game interface level. In addition usability problems concerning new genre videogames were identified through an integrated experimental procedure that took place in HOU’s quality assessment laboratory or in players’ own place by using suitable software developed by the Software Quality Research Group (SQRG) to simulate laboratory functions. Once the heuristics had been developed, they were applied on the observation procedure during the players’ encounters with the games Wii Sports and Pet Society (used inside the famous networking platform Facebook). The validity of heuristics is tested through two different usability evaluating methods; users logging and heuristic evaluation.

A Survey on How Online Games Usability Affects the Retention of Information

This paper evaluated the usability of two selected online games “Age of Mythology” and “Seven Kingdoms”, investigating the role of user perceived usability in the process of information retention. Evaluation performed by combining heuristic evaluation and user observation. Simultaneous the results of heuristic evaluation and information retention were verified by the use of questionnaires. The overall aim was to study how usability of a game affects the element of the learning process, which is the retention of information through images.

Educational Techniques Comparative Study by Using Combined Environment via Computer and Mobile Devices in Asynchronous Discussion Forum

Over recent years, the rapid development of mobile devices has made possible the support of educational applications in distance education to the extent that the term m-learning (mobile learning) has now been established as a relatively autonomous field with distinct features as to the means used compared to e-learning in general. This paper focuses on the for a of asynchronous distance education with the purpose of comparing educational techniques widely used in the fields (such as brainstorming and snowballing) in a combined environment both via computer and mobile devices, in the framework of a training program in IT basic skills for primary education teachers. For the purpose of this study, modeling in formal language was used to classify the messages in the forum, as well as a respective system to automate this procedure. As it is deduced from the data analysis and the study of the text messages in the Moodle forum (v.1.6), the groups using brainstorming technique show higher participation at the forum than those using the snowballing technique. Furthermore, brainstorming technique is more advantageous than Snowballing technique concerning the educational effectiveness.

Suitable Asynchronous Distance Education for a Size for Working Groups in Informatics Teachers Training

A substantial communication tool used in distance education is the asynchronous discussion fora. One of the most popular educational techniques used by fora of distance education is the educational technique of working groups which is the eminent technique that may be applied in all stages of a learning circle. This study uses a specific modelling made for Hellenic Open University’s fora, refers to a distance education program for computer teachers and studies the most appropriate group size when working groups technique is implemented through an asynchronous discussion forum, both as for participation and also as for the educational effectiveness.

The Asynchronous Distance Education by Means of Internet: Factors that Influence its Effectiveness. The case of Hellenic Open University

This article presents the findings of a research conducted in the field of asynchronous distance education by means of Internet. The research is focused on the current environment of the Hellenic Open University (HOU) and tries to identify the factors affecting its efficiency. The research contains an analysis of the environmentpsilas current condition of use, based on the statistical data obtained from HOU Laboratory of Educational Material and Methodology; furthermore, this article contains the answers from the interviews given by 4 tutors who make use of the specific environment and 24 students. The answers to the relevant questions are presented per category, based on the classification made during the study of international bibliography.

Text Based Computer-Mediated Communication: A System for Automated Interpretation of Discussion Threads in Distance Education Fora by Using Formal Languages

Electronic discussion for a are increasingly becoming part of the distance education process and are an evolving field which needs to be constantly updated and redefined. This paper presents a system development for automated interpretation of messages in distance education for a by using a modelling in formal language.

The Text-Based Computer-Mediated Communication in Distance Education Fora: A Modelling Approach Based on Formal Languages

Electronic asynchronous discussion fora are increasingly becoming part of the distance education process and are a dynamically evolving field which needs to be constantly updated and redefined. This chapter presents a system development approach for automated interpretation of discussion threads’ messages in asynchronous distance education fora by using the content category as unit of analysis. This system inputs discussion threads from distance education fora and outputs specific strings representing the messages of these threads according to concrete modelling based in a formal language.

Analyzing the Fora: An Algorithms Combination for the Representation of Messages

This paper presents an algorithms combination for representation of discussion threads messages in for a for distance education. This combination inputs discussion threads from distance education for a and outputs specific strings representing the messages of these threads according to concrete modelling based in a formal language.

Integration of a System for Discussions Study in Text-Based Computer-Mediated Communication

This paper focuses on Integration of a System for discussions study in Text-Based Computer-Mediated Communication. In this paper the content category is presented as a unit of analysis for the decodification of messages at the asynchronous distance education for a is which is incorporated in the modelling in a formal language and the development of a respective system created by Hellenic Open University for this purpose.