[publication] A Metastandard for the International Exchange of MOOCs – The MOOChub as First Prototype #imoox #moochub #emoocs

Our contribution about „A Metastandard for the International Exchange of MOOCs – The MOOChub as First Prototype“ for the EMOOCs 2023 was published.

Abstract:
The MOOChub is a joined web-based catalog of all relevant German and Austrian MOOC platforms that lists well over 750 Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). Automatically building such a catalog requires that all partners describe and publicly offer the metadata of their courses in the same way. The paper at hand presents the genesis of the idea to establish a common metadata standard and the story of its subsequent development. The result of this effort is, first, an open-licensed de-facto-standard, which is based on existing commonly used standards and second, a first prototypical platform that is using this standard: the MOOChub, which lists all courses of the involved partners. This catalog is searchable and provides a more comprehensive overview of basically all MOOCs that are offered by German and Austrian MOOC platforms. Finally, the upcoming developments to further optimize the catalog and the metadata standard are reported.

[full article @ ResearchGate]

Reference: Staubitz, T., Serth, S., Max, T., Ebner, M., Koschutnig-Ebner, M., Rampelt, F., von Stellen, A. & Wittke, A. (2023) A Metastandard for the International Exchange of MOOCs – The MOOChub as First Prototype. EMOOCs 2023, 147-161 [.pdf]

[publication] Role of MOOCs and Imoox for Austrian Universities Analysis of Performance Agreements and Activities at imoox #imoox #emoocs

We did a publication about „Role of MOOCs and Imoox for Austrian Universities Analysis of Performance Agreements and Activities at imoox“ for the EMOOCS 2023 conference.

Abstract:
This research paper provides an overview of the current state of MOOCs (massive open online courses) and universities in Austria, focusing on the national MOOC platform iMooX.at. The study begins by presenting the results of an analysis of the performance agreements of 22 Austrian public universities for the period 2022-2024, with a specific focus on the mention of MOOC activities and iMooX. The authors find that 12 of 22 (55 %) Austrian public universities use at least one of these terms, indicating a growing interest in MOOCs and online learning. Additionally, the authors analyze internal documentation data to share insights into how many universities in Austria have produced and/or used a MOOC on the iMooX platform since its launch in 2014. These findings provide a valuable measure of the current usage and monitoring of MOOCs and iMooX among Austrian higher education institutions. Overall, this research contributes to a better understanding of the current state of MOOCs and their integration within Austrian higher education.

[full paper @ ResearchGate]

Reference: Ebner, M., Edelsbrunner, S., Hohla-Sejkora, K., Lipp, S., & Schön. S. (2023) Role of MOOCs and Imoox for Austrian Universities. EMOOCs 2023, 77-94 [.pdf]

[publication] Porting a Native Android App to iOS #ios #appdevelopment #tugraz

Our publication on „Porting a Native Android App to iOS“ got published in the nternational Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies (iJIM):

Abstract:
The two mobile operating systems Android and i(Pad)OS have dominated the smartphone and tablet market for years and app providers have to offer their apps for both systems in most cases in order to be competitive or to be able to reach the majority of potential customers. In native app development, separate applications have to be written and maintained for each platform. Often, apps are developed for one platform first and the second app is developed at a later stage, after some feedback could be collected. This porting from one system to the other can be either (partially) automated or manual, but in any case, it has its challenges. Both systems were designed with different approaches and differ greatly in some parts from each other – not only visually, but also in terms of the underlying structure. To illustrate the porting process, the Android app “Schoolstart Screening App”, which was developed for the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research of Austria by Graz University of Technology at the OU Educational Technology, was ported so that it can be used also on iPads. Automated approaches were discussed and the chosen process is explained to get a good overview of the topic.

[article @ journal’s homepage]
[article @ ResearchGate]

Reference: Rauter, M., Wachtler, J., & Ebner, M. (2023). Porting a Native Android App to iOS: Porting Process Shown by the Example of the “Schoolstart Screening App”. International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies (iJIM), 17(23), pp. 20–31. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijim.v17i23.43829

[publication] The Analysis of Learning Management System towards Students’ Cognitive Learning Outcome #tugraz #researg

Our article titled „The Analysis of Learning Management System towards Students’ Cognitive Learning Outcome“ got published in the Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (iJET).

Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to determine the implementation of the moodle and edmodo learning management system (LMS) in education, to identify the specific features of the LMS that were utilized in the learning process, and to assess the impact of the LMS on student learning outcomes, drawing on cognitive learning theory. The research method is a systematic literature review (SLR) using the Scopus and Taylor & Francis databases, guided by the PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analyses) protocol, to analyze the data. The validity of the study was tested using the Gregory test with four expert examiners, namely an SLR expert, an LMS expert, and experts in cognitive learning outcomes. The results of the electronic database search focused on articles related to LMS implementation, LMS features, and student cognitive learning outcomes. This systematic literature review identified four key stages that serve as indicators of LMS implementation: 1) introduction, 2) registration, 3) learning materials, and 4) evaluation (assessment or feedback). The LMS features used in learning are grouped into four sections: communication features, course content features, course delivery features, and assignment features. The findings of the literature review indicate that the implementation of LMS and the features utilized in the learning process have an impact on various aspects of learning. These include learning satisfaction, engagement, learning experience, comfort, effectiveness, motivation, and the improvement of student learning outcomes.

[full article @ journal’s homepage]
[full article @ ResearchGate]

Reference: Aulianda, N., Wijayati, P. H., Ebner, M., & Schön, S. (2023). The Analysis of Learning Management System towards Students’ Cognitive Learning Outcome: A Systematic Literature Review. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (iJET), 18(23), pp. 4–26. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v18i23.36443

[publication] Die Wirkung von MOOCs und iMooX.at aus Sicht von Kursersteller:innen #zfhe #tugraz #research #imoox #mooc

Im Rahmen der Sonderausgabe zu Digitalisierung der Hochschullehre – Projekte österreichischer Hochschulen 2020–2024 haben wir einen Beitrag über iMooX.at erstellt mit dem Titel „Die Wirkung von MOOCs und iMooX.at aus Sicht von Kursersteller:innen“

Zusammenfassung:
iMooX.at wird im Rahmen des Projekts „MooX – Die MOOC-Plattform als Service für alle österreichischen Universitäten“ (2020–2023) als nationale Plattform für Hochschulen ausgebaut. Im Beitrag werden bisherige Ergebnisse und Wirkungen des Projekts dargestellt. So wurden bereits 70 MOOCs durchgeführt (geplant waren 33). In problemzentrierten Interviews mit fünf Kursersteller:innen wurden zudem Wirkungen von MOOCs und iMooX.at als Plattform gesammelt. Kursersteller:innen bestätigen in einer Online-Befragung (n=17) im hohen Maße, dass iMooX.at zur Verbreitung von OER beiträgt und positive Wirkungen für unterschiedliche Gruppen hat.

[Beitrag @ Zeitschrift für Hoschulentwicklung]
[Beitrag @ ResearchGate]

Referenz: Ebner, M., Edelsbrunner, S., Haas, M., Hohla-Sejkora, K., Leitner, P., Lipp, S., Mair, B., Schön, S., Steinkellner, I., Stojevic, I., & Zwiauer, C. (2023). Die Wirkung von MOOCs und iMooX.at aus Sicht von Kursersteller:innen. Zeitschrift für Hochschulentwicklung , 18, 51-76. https://doi.org/10.3217/zfhe-SH-HL/04

[publication] Digital Transformation of Teaching and Perception at TU Graz from the Students’ Perspective: Developments from the Last 17 Years #tugraz #education

Our chapter on „Digital Transformation of Teaching and Perception at TU Graz from the Students’ Perspective: Developments from the Last 17 Years“ we presented last year at ICL-conference is now online available:

The use of digital technologies in teaching to make it more varied, better, more diverse, or even more accessible is being pursued systematically at many universities. This article shows the developments in the digital transformation of teaching at Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) over the last 17 years. In the process, the various activities of Graz University of Technology and of the central department of teaching and learning technologies about the digital transformation of teaching and its focus and change during this period are described in the form of a workshop report. The consequences and developments of the Covid-19 pandemic on digital transformation efforts are also addressed. This is contrasted with results of two students’ surveys from 2014 (N = 1,502 complete questionnaires) and 2021 (N = 1,386 complete questionnaires). Within this contribution, the authors use the survey’s data to assess how students’ attitudes towards technology-enhanced teaching were changing at TU Graz. Mean indices were created to be able to compare the two surveys. This shows that despite the less good experience with teaching at TU Graz during the pandemic the attitude towards digital teaching is relatively satisfying. Nevertheless, the authors point out that the students clearly indicate that digital (distance) learning has a negative impact on communication between students and teachers as well as between students themselves, and that measures would be desirable here.

[full chapter @ book homepage]
[draft @ ResearchGate]

Reference: Martin Ebner; Bettina Mair; Christoph De Marinis; Hannes Müller; Walther Nagler; Sandra Schön; Stefan Thurner (2023). Digital Transformation of Teaching and Perception at TU Graz from the Students’ Perspective: Developments from the Last 17 Years. In: Auer, M.E., Pachatz, W., Rüütmann, T. (eds) Learning in the Age of Digital and Green Transition. ICL 2022. Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, vol 633. Springer, Cham, pp 366–377. doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-26876-2_34

[publication] Information Systems Maintenance: Maintenance Factors for Information Systems with a Focus on Teaching and Learning #tugraz

We did a small piece of research about „Information Systems Maintenance: Maintenance Factors for Information Systems with a Focus on Teaching and Learning“ and it was now published:

Abstract:
This work deals with the maintenance of information systems—specifically, with the maintenance of information systems that have a focus on teaching and learning. Depending on the context of an information system, there are different influencing factors for the maintenance of these systems. This work clarifies how the maintenance activities and their influencing factors differ in an information system for teaching and learning from other information systems, or why some influencing factors are particularly more important. The first step is to understand what maintenance means, why there is a need for maintenance, and which maintenance strategies can be used. Finally, the defined factors of influencing the maintenance of information systems for teaching and learning are evaluated during interviews with experts in order to be able to determine their relevance. A further part of this document is the influence of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) guidelines on information systems maintenance, which came into force on May 25, 2018. These guidelines of the GDPR affect a large part of all information systems that process data—in particular, the processing of personal data. The GDPR regulates, among other things, the rights and obligations of data processing.

[full article @ ResearchGate]
[full article @ journal’s homepage]

Reference: Pilz, M., Ebner, M., & Wachtler, J. (2023). Information Systems Maintenance: Maintenance Factors for Information Systems with a Focus on Teaching and Learning. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (iJET), 18(15), pp. 67–78. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v18i15.40919

[publication] Open Educational Resources (OER) – Grundlagen und Beispiele aus der Ökonomischen Bildung #OER #openeducation #digitaleBildung #tugraz

Für das Handbuch digitale Instrumente der Ökonomischen Bildung haben wir einen Beitrag zu „Open Educational Resources (OER) – Grundlagen und Beispiele aus der Ökonomischen Bildung“ verfasst, der natürlich (als einziger Beitrag des Buches!) offen lizenziert und damit zugänglich ist:

In diesem Beitrag wird zunächst eingeführt, wie das Urheberrecht praktische Anliegen von Lehrenden herausfordert und was sogenannte offene Lizenzen sind, die umfangreiche Nutzungen erlauben, wenn dies die Urheber*innen wünschen . Dann werden praktische Tipps zur erfolgreichen Suche und korrekten Nutzung bzw . Veröffentlichung von OER gegeben . Der Beitrag stellt zuletzt ausgewählte OER-Beispiele aus der Ökonomischen Bildung vor, unter anderem das erste offen lizenzierte Schulbuch im Themenfeld und offen lizenzierte Res- sourcen von ZUM Wirtschaft.

[Beitrag @ ResearchGate]

Zitation: Sandra Schön, Martin Ebner (2023). Open Educational Resources (OER) – Grundlagen und Beispiele aus der Ökonomischen Bildung. In: Taiga Brahm, Claudia Wiepcke (Hg.), Handbuch digitale Instrumente der Ökonomischen Bildung, Frankfurt: wochenschau Verlag, S. 39-50. URL: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/369180090_Open_Educational_Resources_OER_-_Grundlagen_und_Beispiele_aus_der_Okonomischen_Bildung

[publication] Operationalising Transparency as an Integral Value of Learning Analytics Systems – From Ethical and Data Protection to Technical Design Requirements #gdpr #learninganalytics #tugraz

We did a contribution to the HCII 2023 conference titled „Operationalising Transparency as an Integral Value of Learning Analytics Systems – From Ethical and Data Protection to Technical Design Requirements„. Now you can find the publication online:

Abstract:
With the rising complexity of technology and its introduction into educational settings, the question of trusting and designing trustworthy learning analytics (LA) systems has gained importance. Transparency is one of the values that can contribute to enhancing an LA system’s trustworthiness. It has been included and discussed as a separate core value or principle in many ethical frameworks for LA. Even though these frameworks provide valuable contributions, they are mostly limited to the conceptual level. Defining what transparency entails in the context of LA is an important aspect, nevertheless, the translation and operationalisation of such abstract concepts into technology should be equally considered.In this paper, we focus on the question of how transparency can be translated into concrete design requirements in order to enhance the trustworthiness of LA systems. We present a normative framework in the form of an interdisciplinary Criteria Catalogue for trustworthy LA, which consists of seven core areas, including transparency. Second, we demonstrate how transparency can be translated and operationalised into more specific and low-level elements by using an example of the Learners’ Corner LA dashboard developed within the project “Learning Analytics – Students in Focus”. Third, we share the results of a study conducted to better understand students’ information needs in relation to LA tools and evaluate our design choices for the introduction of three quick information butt
ons within the Learners’ Corner.

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

Rerference: Veljanova, H., Barreiros, C., Gosch, N., Staudegger, E., Ebner, M., Lindstaedt, S. (2023). Operationalising Transparency as an Integral Value of Learning Analytics Systems – From Ethical and Data Protection to Technical Design Requirements. In: Zaphiris, P., Ioannou, A. (eds) Learning and Collaboration Technologies. HCII 2023. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 14040. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-34411-4_37

[publication] Perceived Effects of Mixed Reality in Distance Learning for the Mining Education Sector #mixedreality #research

One of our contributions to the HCII 2023 was titled „Perceived Effects of Mixed Reality in Distance Learning for the Mining Education Sector“ and it got published right now:

Abstract:
Mixed reality as a tool for teaching has made only limited use of its possibilities so far. However, it brings a plethora of new opportunities, with benefits ranging from interactivity to more vividness. These factors could improve numerous areas of teaching. The mining sector would benefit from new methods combined with mixed reality especially. Therefore, the MiReBooks project was launched: Various applications have been developed that can vividly present content using 3D models, virtual field trips and other methods. To verify and further improve these tools, an evaluation phase was conducted. During two test lectures in distance learning, a total of 23 participants answered a posttest questionnaire. The results showed that the teaching quality could be maintained well by the mixed reality application even in distance learning. Students were satisfied with the methods used, attributed good usability to the tool, and felt integrated into the classroom. At the same time, the team realized that the quality of the lesson depends heavily on the quality of the materials and the expertise of the lecturer. It also became clear that other factors, such as the technical infrastructure and support, are particularly important in this format.

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

Reference: Thurner, S., Schön, S., Ebner, M., Leitner, P., Daling, L. (2023). Perceived Effects of Mixed Reality in Distance Learning for the Mining Education Sector. In: Zaphiris, P., Ioannou, A. (eds) Learning and Collaboration Technologies. HCII 2023. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 14041. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-34550-0_15