[publication] Development of an Amazon Alexa App for a University Online Search #alexa #research #tugraz

Our chapter about “Development of an Amazon Alexa App for a University Online Search” for the HCII 2022 conference got published.

Abstract:
Today, our homes become smarter and smarter. We started to interact with our home with Intelligent Personal Assistants, like Amazon Alexa. In this paper we want to present and give a review on the Alexa skill developed for an online search for resources like rooms, courses, and persons. The goal is to provide the users an easy-to-use way to ask for information like phone numbers, e-mail addresses, room details, … and the Alexa Skill should provide this information also in an easy understandable way. We will describe how we solved to formulate suitable search queries from spoken Alexa commands and how we presented them to the user accordingly. Other obstacles like the presentation of the search results, due to the limited context and prioritization for individual search results, to the user will be discussed.

[full article @ book’s homepage]
[draft @ ResearchGate]

Reference: Rupitz, J., Ebner, M., Ebner, M. (2022). Development of an Amazon Alexa App for a University Online Search. In: Zaphiris, P., Ioannou, A. (eds) Learning and Collaboration Technologies. Designing the Learner and Teacher Experience. HCII 2022. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 13328. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-05657-4_10

[publication] Evaluation of Mixed Reality Technologies in Remote Teaching #VirtualReality #tugraz #education

Our chapter for the HCII conference 2022 about “Evaluation of Mixed Reality Technologies in Remote Teaching” got published.

Abstract:
The trend towards remote teaching is steadily increasing and intensified by the current situation of the global pandemic. This is a particular challenge for subjects with a high practical relevance, such as mining engineering education, as practical experiences and on-site excursions are an integral part of the curriculum. In face-to-face teaching settings, mixed reality technologies are already considered a promising medium for the implementation of e.g., virtual field trips. Based on this, the current study addresses the question to what extent the integration of mixed reality technologies is suitable for remote teaching and which strengths and challenges are perceived by students and teachers. For this purpose, two 60-min remote lectures in the field of mining engineering were conducted, in which the use of mixed reality was tested on the basis of shared 360° experiences and 3D models and evaluated by students and teachers. Results reveal that the use of mixed reality in remote teaching was perceived as useful, enabled a realistic experience and improved students’ understanding of presented theory compared to traditional teaching methods. In this paper, we discuss possible potentials and risks of using mixed reality in remote teaching and derive directions for further research.

[full article @ book’s homepage]
[draft @ ResearchGate]

Reference: Daling, L.M., Khoadei, S., Kalkofen, D., Thurner, S., Sieger, J., Shepel, T., Abdelrazeq, A., Ebner, Markus, Ebner, Martin & Isenhardt, I (2022). Evaluation of Mixed Reality Technologies in Remote Teaching. In: Zaphiris, P., Ioannou, A. (eds) Learning and Collaboration Technologies. Novel Technological Environments. HCII 2022. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 13329. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-05675-8_3

[publication] Towards Trustworthy Learning Analytics Applications: An Interdisciplinary Approach Using the Example of Learning Diaries #LearningAnalytics #tugraz

Our poster/chapter about “Towards Trustworthy Learning Analytics Applications: An Interdisciplinary Approach Using the Example of Learning Diaries” at HCII 2022 conference is published and available.

Abstract:
Learning analytics (LA) is an emerging field of science due to its great potential to better understand, support and improve the learning and teaching process. Many higher education institutions (HEIs) have already included LA in their digitalisation strategies. This process has been additionally accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic when HEIs transitioned from face-2-face learning environments to hybrid and e-learning environments and entirely relied on technology to continue operating. Undoubtedly, there was never a time when so much student data was collected, analysed, and reported, which brings numerous ethical and data protection concerns to the forefront. For example, a critical issue when implementing LA is to determine which data should be processed to fulfil pedagogical purposes while making sure that LA is in line with ethical principles and data protection law, such as the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This article contributes to the discussion on how to design LA applications that are not only useful and innovative but also trustworthy and enable higher education learners to make data-informed decisions about their learning process. For that purpose, we first present the idea and methodology behind the development of our interdisciplinary Criteria Catalogue for trustworthy LA applications intended for students. The Criteria Catalogue is a new normative framework that supports students to assess the trustworthiness of LA applications. It consists of seven defined Core Areas (i.e., autonomy, protection, respect, non-discrimination, responsibility and accountability, transparency, and privacy and good data governance) and corresponding criteria and indicators. Next, we apply this normative framework to learning diaries as a specific LA application. Our goal is to demonstrate how ethical and legal aspects could be translated into specific recommendations and design implications that should accompany the whole lifecycle of LA applications.

[article @ book’s homepage]
[draft @ ResearchGate]

Reference: Veljanova, H., Barreiros, C., Gosch, N., Staudegger, E., Ebner, M., Lindstaedt, S. (2022). Towards Trustworthy Learning Analytics Applications: An Interdisciplinary Approach Using the Example of Learning Diaries. In: Stephanidis, C., Antona, M., Ntoa, S. (eds) HCI International 2022 Posters. HCII 2022. Communications in Computer and Information Science, vol 1582. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-06391-6_19

[publication] Learning Analytics and MOOCs #imoox #hci20 #research

Ebru did a first publication of her PhD-work titled “Learning Analytics and MOOCs” for this year HCII conference.

Abstract:
There are new discoveries in the field of educational technologies in the 21st century, which we can also call the age of technology. Learning Analytics (LA) has given itself an important research field in the area of Technology Enhanced Learning. It offers analysis, benchmarking, review and development techniques for example in online learning platforms such as those who host Massive Open Online Course (MOOC). MOOCs are online courses addressing a large learning community. Among these participants, large data is obtained from the group with age, gender, psychology, community and educational level differences. These data are gold mines for Learning Analytics. This paper examines the methods, benefits and challenges of applying Learning Analytics in MOOCs based on a literature review. The methods that can be applied with the literature review and the application of the methods are explained. Challenges and benefits and the place of learning analytics in MOOCs are explained. The useful methods of Learning Analytics in MOOCs are described in this study. With the literature review, it indicates: Data mining, statistics and mathematics, Text Mining, Semantics-Linguistics Analysis, visualization, Social network analysis and Gamification areas are implementing Learning Analytics in MOOCs allied with benefits and challenges.

Abstract of the publication

[full article @ publisher’s webpage]
[draft @ researchgate]

Reference: İnan E., Ebner M. (2020) Learning Analytics and MOOCs. In: Zaphiris P., Ioannou A. (eds) Learning and Collaboration Technologies. Designing, Developing and Deploying Learn- ing Experiences. HCII 2020. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 12205. Springer, Cham. pp. 241-254

[publication] Learning Analytics and Spelling Acquisition in German – The Path to Individualization in Learning #hcii20 #iderblog

We did a contribution titled “Learning Analytics and Spelling Acquisition in German – The Path to Individualization in Learning” for this year HCII conference.

Abstract:
This paper shows how Learning Analytic Methods are combined with German orthography in the IDeRBlog-project (www.iderblog.eu). After a short introduction to the core of the platform – the intelligent dictionary – we focus on the presentation and evaluation of a new training format. The aim of this format is, that pupils can train misspelled words individually in a motivating and didactic meaningful setting. As a usability test was run with twenty one third graders, we are able to present the results of this evaluation.

Abstract of the publication

[full article @ publisher’s webpage]
[draft @ researchgate]

Reference: Ebner M., Edtstadler K., Ebner M. (2020) Learning Analytics and Spelling Acquisition in German – The Path to Individualization in Learning. In: Zaphiris P., Ioannou A. (eds) Learning and Collaboration Technologies. Designing, Developing and Deploying Learning Experiences. HCII 2020. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 12205. Springer, Cham. pp. 317-325.

[publication] Individualized Differentiated Spelling with Blogs – Implementing and Individualizing (IDeRBlog ii) #iderblog #hcii2020 #tugraz

We did a contribution titled “Individualized Differentiated Spelling with Blogs – Implementing and Individualizing (IDeRBlog ii)” for this year HCII conference.

Abstract:
The paper depicts the Erasmus+ project “Individual DifferEntiated correct writing with Blogs – Individualizing and Implementing (IDeRBlog ii)”. IDeRBlog ii is a follow-up project evolving the result of IDeRBlog, a blogging platform for pupils aged eight and above. The project is an international cooperation between 3 countries in Europe. This paper presents an overview of possibilities in context of individualization of the exercises. Further, it covers the benefits of using the platform, e.g. learning about media competences, how to communicate online and the possibility to get individualized exercises for supported during their writing process by the feedback of the intelligent dictionary.

Abstract of the publication

[full article @ publisher’s webpage]
[draft @ researchgate]

Reference: Leidinger N., Gros, M., Ebner, M., Ebner, M., Edtstadler, K. Herunter, E., Heide J., Pfeifer, S., Huppertz, A. & Kistemann V. (2020) Individualized Differentiated Spelling with Blogs – Implementing and Individualizing (IDeRBlog ii). In: Zaphiris P., Ioannou A. (eds) Learning and Collaboration Technologies. Designing, Developing and Deploying Learning Experiences. HCII 2020. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 12205. Springer, Cham. pp. 368-279

[presentation] Learning Analytics and Spelling Acquisition in German – the Path to Indivdualization in Learning #iderblog #hcii20

Markus presented yesterday his research about “Learning Analytics and Spelling Acquisition in German” at this year HCII 2020 conference.

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[presentation] Learning Analytics and MOOCs #mooc #hcii20 #imoox

Ebru is presenting today her research about “Learning Analytics and MOOCs” at this year HCII 2020 conference.

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[publication] Development of a Dashboard for Learning Analytics in Higher Education #STELA #LearningAnalytics

Our first publication at this year HCII 2017 conference was about “Development of a Dashboard for Learning Analytics in Higher Education”.
Abstract:

In this paper, we discuss the design, development, and implementation of a Learning Analytics (LA) dashboard in the area of Higher Education (HE). The dashboard meets the demands of the different stakeholders, maximizes the mainstreaming potential and transferability to other contexts, and is developed in the path of Open Source. The research concentrates on developing an appropriate concept to fulfil its objectives and finding a suitable technology stack. Therefore, we determine the capabilities and functionalities of the dashboard for the different stakeholders. This is of significant importance as it identifies which data can be collected, which feedback can be given, and which functionalities are provided. A key approach in the development of the dashboard is the modularity. This leads us to a design with three modules: the data collection, the search and information processing, and the data presentation. Based on these modules, we present the steps of finding a fitting Open Source technology stack for our concept and discuss pros and cons trough out the process.

[Publication @ Springer]

[Draft @ ResearchGate]

Reference: Leitner P., Ebner M. (2017) Development of a Dashboard for Learning Analytics in Higher Education. In: Zaphiris P., Ioannou A. (eds) Learning and Collabo- ration Technologies. Technology in Education. LCT 2017. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 10296. pp. 293-301 Springer, Cham

[publication] Learning Analytics and Spelling Acquisition in German – Proof of Concept #TEL #Iderblog

Our second publication at this year HCII 2017 conference was about “Learning Analytics and Spelling Acquisition in German – Proof of Concept” and describes our IDeRBlog-project.
Abstract:

German orthography is known to be quite difficult to master, especially for primary-school pupils in writing texts [cf. 1]. In order to support children with the acquisition of German orthography, we are developing a web-based platform for German-speaking users based on learning analytics techniques. Our goal is to motivate pupils age 8 to 12 to improve their spelling abilities by writing texts and by the possibility to publish them. Concerning spelling in combination with learning analytics the system provides – in case of an orthographic mistake – a specific feedback that encourages pupils to think about the spelling and to correct it. Based on occurred mistakes the teachers and the students are provided with a qualitative analysis of the mistakes. This analysis shows the problematic orthographic areas and gives suggestions for online and offline exercises as well as online courses that are explaining the orthographic phenomena. The aim of this article is to describe the architecture of the web-based system and a proof of concept by evaluating 60 essays. Furthermore, relevant background information is given in order to gain a better understanding in the complex interdisciplinary development.

[Publication @ Springer]

[Draft @ ResearchGate]

Reference: Ebner M., Edtstadler K., Ebner M. (2017) Learning Analytics and Spelling Acquisition in German – Proof of Concept. In: Zaphiris P., Ioannou A. (eds) Learning and Collaboration Technologies. Technology in Education. LCT 2017. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 10296. pp. 257-268. Springer, Cham