Learning through Learning through Ad-hoc Formative Ad-hoc Formative

PathsPaths

Vincenza Carchiolo, Alessandro Longheu, Michele MalgeriInformatics and Telecommunication Department

Catania University - Italye-mail: { car, alongheu, mm } @ diit.unict.it

ICALT 2001ICALT 2001

6-8 August 2001, Madison, Wisconsin USA

Web boostWeb boost- Increasing bandwidth availability- Increasing bandwidth availability- PC as enhanced terminals for - PC as enhanced terminals for web-based applicationsweb-based applications

E-LearningE-Learning- Developed inside - Developed inside specific environmentsspecific environments (e.g. industries)(e.g. industries)

- Homogeneus contents - Homogeneus contents to homogeneus communitiesto homogeneus communities

ICALT 2001ICALT 2001

6-8 August 2001, Madison, Wisconsin USA

Empowering E-LEmpowering E-LDeveloping contents toDeveloping contents toheterogeneus students,heterogeneus students,differing for knowledge,differing for knowledge,and learning rate.and learning rate.Need to tailor coursesNeed to tailor coursesfor each student.for each student.

ICALT 2001ICALT 2001

6-8 August 2001, Madison, Wisconsin USA

GoalsGoals

- Encourage active learning techniques- Encourage active learning techniques

- Adjust formative (learning) path to students capabilites- Adjust formative (learning) path to students capabilites

- Learn how to use students available time- Learn how to use students available time

- Have an immediate feedback of each students activity- Have an immediate feedback of each students activity

ICALT 2001ICALT 2001

6-8 August 2001, Madison, Wisconsin USA

SummarySummary- Introduce a framework for interactive, adaptative E-learning- Introduce a framework for interactive, adaptative E-learning

- Graph-based lessons repository- Graph-based lessons repository

- Weighted and adaptable formative paths along the - Weighted and adaptable formative paths along the

graphgraph

- Tests, exercises, chatrooms, mailing lists, contacting - Tests, exercises, chatrooms, mailing lists, contacting

teacher teacher

to assure interactionto assure interaction

- Present a prototype for E-learning in a web-based - Present a prototype for E-learning in a web-based

environmentenvironment

ICALT 2001ICALT 2001

6-8 August 2001, Madison, Wisconsin USA

Graph-based E-learning model - 1Graph-based E-learning model - 1

• Each node represents a subject matter Each node represents a subject matter (one-argument lessons)(one-argument lessons)

• Each oriented weighted arc measures the Each oriented weighted arc measures the difficulty difficulty

(time and knowledge required) (time and knowledge required) moving from one lesson to the nextmoving from one lesson to the next

ICALT 2001ICALT 2001

6-8 August 2001, Madison, Wisconsin USA

Graph-based E-learning model - 2Graph-based E-learning model - 2

- Weights are managed by the teacher- Weights are managed by the teacher

- The system automatically proposes to each - The system automatically proposes to each

studentstudent

all possible paths existing between two all possible paths existing between two

arguments,arguments,

according to student’s knowledge (profiling)according to student’s knowledge (profiling)

- Paths are given in terms of both difficulty and - Paths are given in terms of both difficulty and

time neededtime needed

- Paths are adapted dynamically to student’s needs.- Paths are adapted dynamically to student’s needs.

ICALT 2001ICALT 2001

6-8 August 2001, Madison, Wisconsin USA

Graph-based E-learning model - 3Graph-based E-learning model - 3

ICALT 2001ICALT 2001

6-8 August 2001, Madison, Wisconsin USA

Graph-based E-learning model - 4Graph-based E-learning model - 4

Student A Student B

1

23

45

6

ICALT 2001ICALT 2001

6-8 August 2001, Madison, Wisconsin USA

Test and ExercisesTest and Exercises- Test with multiple choice questions automatically - Test with multiple choice questions automatically

generated (random)generated (random)

- Exercise with open response- Exercise with open response

- Mark expressed in percentage- Mark expressed in percentage

- On-line results checking for tests, off-line for - On-line results checking for tests, off-line for

exercisesexercises

- Additional files related to the question can be easily - Additional files related to the question can be easily

addedadded

ICALT 2001ICALT 2001

6-8 August 2001, Madison, Wisconsin USA

System InteractionSystem Interaction- FAQ Database on specific subject for students- FAQ Database on specific subject for students

- Mailing lists and chatrooms for students- Mailing lists and chatrooms for students

- Database containing students profiles to adapt the - Database containing students profiles to adapt the

systemsystem

- Feedback to the student given online (tests) and - Feedback to the student given online (tests) and

offline (exercises)offline (exercises)

- Feedback to the teacher from log files to recalibrate - Feedback to the teacher from log files to recalibrate

lessons and testslessons and tests

Prototype architecture - 1Prototype architecture - 1

ICALT 2001ICALT 2001

6-8 August 2001, Madison, Wisconsin USA

APACHEWeb Server

PHPModule

My SQLDatabase

Users

Web-based environment (lessons, tests and exercises, mailing lists, chatrooms…)

Slides

ElectronicDocuments

Images

Videos

Prototype architecture - 2Prototype architecture - 2

ICALT 2001ICALT 2001

6-8 August 2001, Madison, Wisconsin USA

- refine the evaluation of difficulty for each - refine the evaluation of difficulty for each lessonlesson - enhance the prototype- enhance the prototype

- testing of the system is in progress...- testing of the system is in progress...

Future worksFuture works

ICALT 2001ICALT 2001

6-8 August 2001, Madison, Wisconsin USA

A framework for an interactive, adaptative E-A framework for an interactive, adaptative E-learning has been introduced.learning has been introduced.• Graph-based lessons repository to build Graph-based lessons repository to build and and adapt formative paths adapt formative paths • Tests, exercises, chatrooms, mailing lists, Tests, exercises, chatrooms, mailing lists, to to assure interactionassure interaction

A prototype for E-learning in a web-based A prototype for E-learning in a web-based environment has also been introducedenvironment has also been introduced

E-Mail: { car, alongheu, mm } @ diit.unict.it

ConclusionsConclusions

ICALT 2001ICALT 2001

6-8 August 2001, Madison, Wisconsin USA