Manuel Caeiro Rodríguez

Towards a Benchmark for the Evaluation of LD Expressiveness and Suitability

Commentary on: Chapter2: The Learning Design Specification (Olivier and Tattersall, 2005) Abstract: IMS Learning Design (LD) has been presented as the EML standard. We propose a methodology to achieve an evaluation benchmark for LD and EMLs based on the identification of perspectives and patterns. We consider a perspective as a feature of an EML with a specific purpose which can be analyzed independently. For each identified perspective, we study the involved patterns. A pattern is an abstraction that is frequently repeated in a design domain, it can be considered as a typical solution to a common problem. Perspectives and patterns provide the criteria that will made up the evaluation benchmark. The evaluation benchmark is proposed to carry out two kinds of evaluation: expressiveness and suitability. The final purpose is to contribute to the development of LD in order to enhance the reusability and interoperability of units of learning. Editors: Colin Tattersall and Rob Koper.

Cognitive effectiveness of visual instructional design languages

The introduction of learning technologies into education is making the design of courses and instructional materials an increasingly complex task. Instructional design languages are identified as conceptual tools for achieving more standardized and, at the same time, more creative design solutions, as well as enhancing communication and transparency in the design process. In this article we discuss differences in cognitive aspects of three visual instructional design languages (E^2ML, PoEML, coUML), based on user evaluation. Cognitive aspects are of relevance for learning a design language, creating models with it, and understanding models created using it. The findings should enable language constructors to improve the usability of visual instructional design languages in the future. The paper concludes with directions with regard to how future research on visual instructional design languages could strengthen their value and enhance their actual use by educators and designers by synthesizing existing efforts into a unified modeling approach for VIDLs.

Development of a xAPI application profile for self-regulated learning requirements for capturing SRL related data

In this paper we present an analysis of xAPI from the self-regulated learning needs point of view, focusing on how we can record all the actions derived from the implementation of self-regulated learning strategies. There are several questions unanswered: Which information could generate each strategy? How do we record this information using xAPI? Is the vocabulary and statements of xAPI appropriate or should be extended? Here we try to answer these questions, which may lead us towards the development of a xAPI application profile for SRL.

A middleware for the integration of third-party learning tools in SOA-based Learning Management Systems: Supporting instance management and data transfer

The widespread adoption of broadband Internet connections and the need of institutions such as universities or enterprises to provide their staff with continuous education have led to a fast adoption of Learning Management Systems. These systems typically provide a centralized environment where students can communicate, carry out experiments, etc. However, the rapid growth of these platforms together with the unlimited need for learning tools, mainly in engineering education contexts (e.g. simulators, communication tools), are hindering their development. The natural alternative is to decouple these tools from the Learning Management Systems themselves, taking advantage of the Software as a Service distribution model. To perform such a decoupling a middleware is required to allow the integration and use of an external tool by the Learning Management System. In this paper a proposal for such middleware is described, with a special focus on the part devoted to manage instances and the transfer of data.

Towards a Generalized Architecture for the Integration of Tools in LMSs

In this article we introduce the main components of a generalized architecture to facilitate the integration of tools in LMSs. This proposal tries to improve the reuse possibilities of the tools in e-learning systems. Reusability has been suggested as a key solution to reduce the high costs of the development of educational experiences in e-learning systems. Up to now, reutilization has focused mainly on the educational contents around metadata standards, contents formats, packaging systems, etc. However, educational practices usually involve tools to facilitate the communication, collaboration and work of students and teachers as well. This proposal is part of a wider solution based on the language PoEML, in which not only the possibility of the inclusion of tools in LMSs is considered, but also the management of its utilization.

Enhancing Reusability in learning management systems through the integration of third-party tools

In this article we introduce a new architecture for learning management systems aimed to improve the reuse possibilities of learning tools. Reusability has been suggested as a key solution to reduce the high costs of the development of educational experiences in e-learning environments. This idea has guided the efforts of many working groups in order to promote their reuse initiatives. Nonetheless, up to now they have focused on the reuse of educational contents rather than on the tools needed to manipulate them. Educational practices usually involve tools to facilitate the communication, coordination, collaboration and work of students and teachers as well, but their reuse is not well supported by any of these initiatives. This proposal is part of a wider solution based on the language PoEML, in which not only the possibility of the inclusion of tools in learning management systems is considered, but also the management of its utilization.

Calculation of Sleep Indicators in Students Using Smartphones and Wearables

Data produced by the use of mobile devices (smartphones and wearables) can be used to obtain patterns and indicators of user behavior. This paper focuses on obtaining sleep-related indicators to apply them in educational settings. Initially the most relevant indicators defined in the literature and available in existing mobile platforms are studied. Based on them, we propose new indicators that can be calculated automatically and transparently analyzing the data generated by mobile device sensors. The ultimate goal of these indicators is to facilitate the construction of software services (recommenders and detectors of risk situations) to improve the learning processes of students.

Opening Lesson Plans to Support Teaching Innovation and Open Educational Resources Adoption

Edu-AREA is a web 2.X application that aims at supporting teaching during the whole life-cycle of lesson plans development, from design, facilitating the creation and the re-use of previous lesson plans, activities and resources provided by other users, to monitor and reflection, enabling teachers to register all types of evidences and comments. Edu-AREA also allows users (e.g., other teachers, students, parents) to comment and provide feedback to OLP. Accounting for these pieces of feedback will contribute to the detection of problems, the adoption of innovations and the implementation of effective improvements. In addition, the development of an appropriate recognition policy (e.g. badges for teachers) and the provision of “curation” facilities will support the identification of valuable educational resources, activities and experiences. In this contribution we show the main ideas and functionalities underlying this application.

Remote Permission Management in Third-Party Tools and e-Learning Systems

This paper deals with the problem of improving the tailorability and extensibility of current Learning Management Systems by allowing them to use third-party tools. Nowadays there are several initiatives to integrate in e-Learning systems tools deployed by external providers following the Software as a Service distribution model. However, these initiatives achieve at best a very “soft” integration. In this article we discuss the issues that should be addressed to achieve a tighter integration between the Learning Management System and the tool, and put the focus on one of them: the remote management of permissions from the Learning Management System.

Sustainability of open educational resources: The eCity case

The promotion of Open Educational Resources (OER) as reusable tools for teachers and students is highly relevant but the nature of the income model requires specific strategies to maintain and update those resources. eCity is a city simulation game that supports a Problem Based Learning (PBL) pedagogical methodology in secondary schools and, at the same time, fosters the interest of students in following an Engineering career. The game is freely available through online stores and the generated interest (about 100.000 downloads so far) has raised the need to discuss and adopt a sustainability strategy for the maintenance of the game and the development of new versions. This article presents possible alternatives for that strategy.