Martina Weicht

Seamless integration of game and learning using modeling and simulation

In this paper we show our approach to make two steps towards integration of modeling and simulation and intelligent tutoring for game-based learning environments. The first step is to construct a framework for developing game-based (and also non-game-based) learning systems, which is based on fundamentals of Intelligent Tutoring System construction and on a full-fledged simulation system (JAMES II), and which allows component-based design and re-usage of existing components. The second step is to develop modeling and simulation-based learning games which seamlessly integrate game and play (immersive didactics). We show the viability of our approach in two case studies - a racing game that can be used to learn geographical facts, and a game about marine science in which school students learn about the interrelations of an ecosystem.

Designing Virtual Experiments in the Context of Marine Sciences

In the context of an EU project we discuss design decisions regarding virtual experiments contrasting discovery learning and experiential learning approaches.

Towards an Open Source Screen Reader: Screenreader Usability Extensions (SUE)

More and more educational institutions, authorities, and companies adopt open source software, especially Linux. Unfortunately, at the moment, no Linux based screen reader provides adequate and sufficient functionality as the ones of Windows. This means that visually impaired people are disadvantaged in the labour market. The focus of the project is the development of a screen reader for the graphical interface using Linux. The screen reader will allow the visually impaired to work with Linux for typical office tasks and the desktop (GNOME) itself. A special training course will instruct teachers and pupils at institutions for the blind and the partially sighted in using the screen reader. The content of the programme is based on the 7 modules of the ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence).

Identifying Semantic Constructs in Web Documents to Improve Web Site Accessibility

Misleading user interfaces and overloaded web sites are some of the reasons why users avoid certain web sites while searching for information on the world wide web. In order to improve the usability and accessibility of web sites, techniques which take the semantic structure of the web documents into account have to be employed. The semantic analysis approach described in this paper aims at recognizing those parts within web documents that are particularly relevant for a specific usage scenario. Different combinations of syntactical constructs are mapped to different analysis classes whose semantic constructs correspond to concrete interaction tasks predefined in task models. The task models are used as a workflow guiding the user through the shopping procedure, whereby for each identified task a corresponding semantic concept on the web site is identified. The described techniques will be embedded in a so called screen reader application for visually impaired people who do not have the ability to use a graphical display.

ConstructFinder: web site interaction made easier

This paper introduces ConstructFinder, a Firefox add-on to find semantic constructs in web pages. It uses the Unstructured Information Management Architecture (UIMA), developed by IBM, to analyse web sites in order to find semantic units like search fields or login forms. These constructs are then highlighted for easy visual access as well as focussed for screen reader users. Using the ConstructFinder in Firefox allows easier access to semantic constructs in cluttered web sites - both for sighted and for visually impaired computer users.