[article] Weaving Social E-learning Platforms Into The Web of Linked Data

My colleague Behnam Taraghi and his friend also contributed to this year i-Know Conference and presented a publication on “Weaving Social E-learning Platforms Into the Web of Linked Data“. I think who is interested in this topic it’s worth to take a look.
Abstract:

In this paper we present an approach for interlinking and RDFising social e-Learning Web 2.0 platforms like ELGG based on semantic tagging and Linked Data principles. A special module called SID (Semantically Interlinked Data) was developed to allow existing tagged and published user generated content an easy entrance into the Web of Data and to enrich it semantically on the other hand. Our approach uses commonly known vocabularies (FOAF, SIOC, MOAT and Tag Ontology) for modelling and generation tasks along with DBPedia as reference dataset for interlinking.

[publication] Will Personal Learning Environments Become Ubiquitous through the Use of Widgets?

Our publication “Will Personal Learning Environments Become Ubiquitous through the Use of Widgets?” for this year i-Know Conference is now online available.
Abstract:

Nowadays Personal Learning Environments (PLEs) are described as the use of different social software tools for learning and teaching. The use of common web browsers often is a precondition to fulfil the requirements of social software tools. In this publication a new perspective as well as a couple of prototypes is presented to allow a more independent solution in this context. Using the new JavaFX technology so called widgets are implemented which can be used on different devices as well as different operating systems. Furthermore also the web browser can be replaced by a browser instance. It can be summarized that through the use of widgets the learning environment of the future can be more individualized and personalized.

Reference: Taraghi, B., Mühlburger, H.; Ebner, M.; Nagler, W. (2009) Will Personal Learning Environments Become Ubiquitous through the Use of Widgets?, Tochtermann, K. and Maurer, H. (ed.), Proceedings of I-KNOW ’09 and I-SEMANTICS ’09, Graz, Austria, pp. 329-335

Here you will find the online copy.

[publication] Interactive Technology for Enhancing Distributed Learning: A Study on Weblogs

Our contribution to this year HCI 2009 conference about “Interactive Technology for Enhancing Distributed Learning: A Study on Weblogs” is now online available.
Abstract:

In this study, it was investigated whether, and to what extent, Web 2.0 technologies, actually Weblogs, can be a suitable instrument for enhancing the practice of distributed learning. In educational settings, which are based on traditional lectures many students begin serious study shortly before the exam. However, from previous empirical research, it is known that the practice of distributed learning is much more conducive to retaining knowledge than that of massed learning. A 2*2 factorial design (within – repeated measures) with pre-test and post-test in a real life setting was applied; the study lasted for the whole summer term 2007. Participants were N=28 computer science undergraduates of Graz University of Technology. We randomly assigned them to two groups of equal size: The experimental group given the Weblog treatment are referred to as Group W; whereas the control group with no access are referred to as Group C. Students of group W were instructed to use the Weblog for developing their paper and studying during the lecture and they were requested not to reveal their group affiliation. The results showed that performance scores of group W were significantly higher than that of group C. This demonstrates that Weblogs can be an appropriate instrument to supplement a classical lecture in order to enable deeper processing of information over a longer period of time, consequently resulting in enhanced learning performance.

Reference: Holzinger, A.; Kickmeier-Rust, M.; Ebner, M. (2009) Interactive Technology for Enhancing Distributed Learning: A Study on Weblogs, Proceedings of HCI 2009 The 23nd British HCI Group Annual Conference, Cambridge, London, pp. 309-312

The PrePrint is available here.

[abstract accepted] Geo-Tagging in Archaeology: Practical Experiences with the TUGeoWiki

Zusammen mit meinem KollegInnen haben wir ein Abstract zum heurigen “International Congress “Cultural Heritage and New Technologies” (Workshop “Archäologie & Computer”)” eingereicht. Wir zeigen im Rahmen der Präsentation “Geo-Tagging in Archaeology: Practical Experiences with the TUGeoWiki” Möglichkeiten und Nutzen von Geotagging im Bereich der Lehre auf und freuen uns auf viele Diskussionsbeiträge.
Abstract:

Introduction and Motivation: The wide spread availability of sophisticated and cheap mobile phones, providing internet access nearly everywhere, have led to advances in the application of new technologies to support field studies and Archaeological documentation. Established tools include Wiki-based mobile geospatial information systems, so called GeoWikis.
Background and Related Work: The primary objective of a GeoWiki is to provide the integration of photographs into an external map via an Application Programming Interface such as the Google maps API. Such MashUps are both a concept and a technology for merging content, services and applications from multiple sites. Experiences gained in civil engineering at Graz University of Technology made it apparent that the creation of a special GeoWiki was necessary: the TUGeoWiki.
Methods and Materials: As a use case we will be evaluating the TUGeoWiki during an archaeological documentation of Roman stones in churches. Relevant issues include both the usability and the usefulness of this application when being utilized in the archaeology domain. During this study the usefulness will be evaluated using heuristic evaluation methods. According to ISO 9241-11 there are three key aspects of usability: efficiency, effectiveness and satisfaction; In order to evaluate the TUGeoWiki against a standardized benchmark, we are applying the System Usability Scale (SUS), a ten-item attitude Likert scale, which isconsidered a valid method of evaluation for mobile devices.
We report on the practical experiences and lessons learned during the use and evaluation of the TUGeoWiki and discuss advantages and disadvantages and possible solutions. Advantages include: taking annotated, geotagged photographs, in a secluded area where the archaeologist has little equipment; the immediate exchange of information and the ability to cooperate with other archaeologists etc.; Disadvantages include the relatively low resolution dependent on the mobile device used; the relative inaccuracy of the GPS location data; and the deviation between the distance of the camera and the object; data protection against tomb raiders etc.

Hier der Link zu unserem Beitrag.

[CfP] ED-Media 2010 (Toronto/Canada)

Nachdem die heurige ED-Media Konferenz vorüber ist, gibt es ab sofort den Call for Papers (Deadline 18. Dezember 2009) für die nextjährige die in Toronto in Kanada stattfinden wird:

ED-MEDIA – World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia & Telecommunications is an international conference, organized by the Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE).

This annual conference serves as a multi-disciplinary forum for the discussion and exchange of information on the research, development, and applications on all topics related to multimedia, hypermedia and telecommunications/distance education.

[publication] Emotion Detection: Application of the Valence Arousal Space for Rapid Biological Usability Testing to enhance Universal Access

A Draftversion of our publication “Emotion Detection: Application of the Valence Arousal Space for Rapid Biological Usability Testing to enhance Universal Access” at this year HCII Conference is now online available.
Abstract:

Emotion is an important mental and physiological state, influencing cognition, perception, learning, communication, decision making, etc. It is considered as a definitive important aspect of user experience (UX), although at least well developed and most of all lacking experimental evidence. This paper deals with an application for emotion detection in usability testing of software.
It describes the approach to utilize the valence arousal space for emotion modeling in a formal experiment. Our study revealed correlations between low performance and negative emotional states. Reliable emotion detection in usability tests will help to prevent negative emotions and attitudes iproducts. This can be a great advantage to enhance Universal Access.

Reference: Stickel, C.; Ebner, M.; Steinbach-Nordmann, S.; Searle, G.; Holzinger, A. (2009) Emotion Detection: Application of the Valence Arousal Space for Rapid Biological Usability Testing to enhance Universal Access. – in: Springer Lecture Notes in Computer Science. (2009) In Press
Here you will find the Draftversion and here the slides.

[publication] A Study on the Compatibility of Ubiquitous Learning (u-Learning) Systems at University Level

A Draftversion of our publication “A Study on the Compatibility of Ubiquitous Learning (u-Learning) Systems at University Level” at this year HCII Conference is now online available.
Abstract:

Graz University of Technology has a long tradition in the design, development and research of university wide Learning Management Systems
(LMS). Inspired by the iPhone Style, the available system has now been extended by the addition of a mobile viewer, which grants the student mobile accessibility to all available online content. In this paper, we report on the lessons learned within a study on user experience with this specially designed LMS mobile viewer. The User Experience (UX) was measured by application of a 26 item questionnaire including the six factors Attractiveness, Perspicuity, Efficiency, Dependability, Stimulation and Novelty, according to Laugwitz et al. (2008). The results showed high rates of acceptance, although the novelty of our approach received a surprisingly low rating amongst the novice end users.

Reference: Ebner, M.; Stickel, C.; Scerbakov, N.; Holzinger, A. (2009) A Study on the Compatibility of Ubiquitous Learning (u-Learning) Systems at University Level . – in: Springer Lecture Notes in Computer Science. (2009), S. 34 – 43
Here you will find the Draftversion and here the slides.

[publication] Mixing Content and Endless Collaboration – MashUps: Towards Future Personal Learning Environments

A Draftversion of our publication “Mixing Content and Endless Collaboration – MashUps: Towards Future Personal Learning Environments” at this year HCII Conference is now online available.
Abstract:

The recent movement by major Web services towards making many application programming interfaces (APIs) available for public use has led to the development of the new MashUp technology, a method of merging content, services and applications from multiple web sites. The new technology is now being successfully applied in the academic community to enrich and improve learning and teaching applications. This paper examines its implementation and use, discusses methods and styles of usage and highlights the advantages and
disadvantages of client and server application, based on related work and recent experiences gathered with a large university-wide open learning management system (WBT-Master/TeachCenter of Graz allows lecturers to use diverse web resources.

Reference: Auinger, A.; Ebner, M.; Dietmar, N.; Holzinger, A. (2009)
Mixing Content and Endless Collaboration – MashUps: Towards Future Personal Learning Environments. – in: Springer Lecture Notes in Computer Science. (2009) In Press
Here you will find the Draftversion and here the slides.

[publication] Intuitive E-Teaching by Using Combined HCI Devices: Experiences with Wiimote Applications

A Draftversion of our publication “Intuitive E-Teaching by Using Combined HCI Devices: Experiences with Wiimote Applications” at this year HCII Conference is now online available.
Abstract:

The wide availability of game based technologies and sophisticated e-Learning possibilities creates new demands and challenges on Human–Computer Interaction and Usability Engineering (HCI&UE). Solid research in HCI must support improvement in learning ability and creativity for both teachers and students. According to recent market surveys the Wii remote controller or Wiimote is currently more wide spread than standard Tablet PCs and is the most used computer input device worldwide. As a collection of many sensors, also including Bluetooth technology, accelerometers and IR sensors, Wiimote is of great interest for HCI experiments, especially in the area of e-Learning and e-Teaching. In this paper, we present results gained from the investigation of the potential of Wiimote as both a standard input device – such as mouse or presenter – and as a gesture and finger tracking sensor. We demonstrate, on the basis of examples from e-Teaching, how easily everyday gestures can be interpreted in regular computer applicationhardware modules and some additional software modules.

Reference: Holzinger, A.; Softic, S.; Stickel, C.; Ebner, M.; Debevc, M. (2009) Intuitive E-Teaching by Using Combined HCI Devices: Experiences with Wiimote Applications. – in: Springer Lecture Notes in Computer Science (LNCS 5616). (2009), S. 44 – 52
Here you will find the Draftversion.