Middleware for Integrating Faculty-Authored Learning
Tools with the CHEFSystem
Middleware for Integrating Faculty-Authored Learning
Tools with the CHEFSystem
Perry SamsonDept. Atmospheric, Oceanic & Space Sciences, University of Michigan
Terry WeymouthSchool of Information, University of Michigan
Eli NeiburgerEliWorks, Ann Arbor, MI
©2004 P. Samson - University of Michigan
Problem
What motivates faculty to embrace instructional technology?
If it’s not broke…
Wave of the future…
-10 -5 0 +5 +10
Entrepreneurial Faculty
Second-Wave Faculty
Source: Hagner (2000)
©2004 P. Samson - University of Michigan
Hypothesis
1. “Second-wave adopters” will more likely adopt techniques and tools based on successful peer implementations than institutional implementations.
2. The fastest route to second wave adoption may be to stimulate the entrepreneurial faculty.
©2004 P. Samson - University of Michigan
What I Wanted
1. To create computer-based homework tools.QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
©2004 P. Samson - University of Michigan
What I Wanted
1. To create computer-based homework tools.
2. To be able to have these activities gather information from my own server.
QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor
are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor
are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
©2004 P. Samson - University of Michigan
CHEF Example
©2004 P. Samson - University of Michigan
Learning Object Example
©2004 P. Samson - University of Michigan
Learning Object Example
©2004 P. Samson - University of Michigan
What I Wanted
1. To create computer-based homework tools.
2. To be able to have these activities gather information from my own server.
3. Have student results be input into the university’s course management system.
QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor
are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor
are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor
are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor
are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor
are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor
are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor
are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor
are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor
are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor
are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor
are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor
are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor
are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor
are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor
are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor
are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor
are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor
are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor
are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor
are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor
are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor
are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
©2004 P. Samson - University of Michigan
Open(?)-Source
Open Source ≠ Open Authoring
“Jetspeed is an Open Source implementation of an Enterprise Information Portal, using Java and XML. The data presented via Jetspeed is independent of content type. This means that content from for example XML,RSS or SMTP can be integrated with Jetspeed!
The actual presentation of the data is handled via ates (sic?) XSL and delivered to the user for example via the combination of Java Server Pages (JSPs) and HTML. Jetspeed provides support for templating and content publication frameworks such as Cocoon, WebMacro and Velocity. Note that outside of regular browser Jetspeed also supports WAP devices.
Jetspeed helps you build portal applications quickly!”
©2004 P. Samson - University of Michigan
CHEF
The CompreHensive collaborativE Framework (CHEF) initiative has as its goal, the development of a flexible environment for supporting distance learning and collaborative work, and doing research on distance learning and collaborative work.
http://chefproject.org/
©2004 P. Samson - University of Michigan
The Problem
Some, including “entrepreneur” faculty find university course management systems inaccessible.
©2004 P. Samson - University of Michigan
The Solution (it isn’t pretty)
1. Identify what you want.
2. Find a someone in the system who uses verbs.
3. Find resources to keep his/her interest.
©2004 P. Samson - University of Michigan
Conceptual Framework
XML/HTMLWeb Services
(OKI)
Flash Remoting
Web Services (OKI)
Web Services (OKI)
CHEF Front End
iframe Middleware(PHP/MySQL)
CHEFInnards
AlternativeDatabase
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iFrame
©2004 P. Samson - University of Michigan
Conceptual Framework
Post Assignment
Student authenticates in
CHEF environment and clicks on assignment
Request to middleware sends
user, class
Middleware retrieves
appropriate weather data for city to forecast,
stores this in middleware server
Student receives personalized FLASH environment with forecast data for
their city
Student makes forecast for their
city
Request to middleware
sends assignment
data Results sent to CHEF database
Successful submission
acknowledgedSuccessful submission
acknowledged
Request to middleware
server sends student user, class,city to
forecast
Professor/GSI requests list of
completed assignments
Professor/GSI evaluates
assignments returns individual/
group assessments
MIDDLEWARE DOMAINSTUDENT DOMAIN(FLASH)
CHEF DOMAIN
Professor authenticates in CHEF,assigns assignment
INSTRUCTOR DOMAIN(HTML)
Professor authenticates to
AssignmentMaker, authors question
©2004 P. Samson - University of Michigan
AssignmentMaker Example
©2004 P. Samson - University of Michigan
AssignmentMaker Example
©2004 P. Samson - University of Michigan
CHEF Example
©2004 P. Samson - University of Michigan
CHEF Example
©2004 P. Samson - University of Michigan
CHEF Example
©2004 P. Samson - University of Michigan
CHEF Example
©2004 P. Samson - University of Michigan
CHEF Example
©2004 P. Samson - University of Michigan
CHEF Example
©2004 P. Samson - University of Michigan
CHEF Example
©2004 P. Samson - University of Michigan
CHEF Example
©2004 P. Samson - University of Michigan
SousChef
XML/HTMLWeb Services
(OKI)
Flash Remoting
Web Services (OKI)
Web Services (OKI)
CHEF Front End
iframe Middleware(PHP/MySQL)
CHEFInnards
AlternativeDatabase
©2004 P. Samson - University of Michigan
Summary
1. Middleware has been produced that interfaces
Macromedia Flash® (and Director, HTML, and
others) with the CHEF system.
2. Ultimately this will evolve into a “component”
that any faculty (READ: their students) can use
to build learning objects.
3. The hope is this will open doors for other
faculty to author their ideas.