Title: LOCO-Analyst: semantic web technologies in learning content usage analysis

Authors: Jelena Jovanovic, Dragan Gasevic, Christopher Brooks, Vladan Devedzic, Marek Hatala, Timmy Eap, Griff Richards

Addresses: FON-School of Business Administration,University of Belgrade, POB 52, Jove Ilica 154,11000 Belgrade, Serbia. ' School of Computing and Information Systems, Athabasca University, 1 University Drive, Athabasca, AB T9S 3A3, Canada. ' Department of Computer Science, University of Saskatchewan, 176 Thorvaldson Building, 110 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5C9, Canada. ' FON-School of Business Administration, University of Belgrade, POB 52, Jove Ilica 154, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia. ' School of Interactive Arts and Technology, Simon Fraser University, 250–13450 102 Ave., Surrey, BC V3T 0A3, Canada. ' School of Interactive Arts and Technology, Simon Fraser University, 250–13450 102 Ave., Surrey, BC V3T 0A3, Canada. ' School of Interactive Arts and Technology, Simon Fraser University, 250–13450 102 Ave., Surrey, BC V3T 0A3, Canada

Abstract: This paper demonstrates how we use semantic web technologies to improve the state-of-the-art in e-learning environments and bridge the gap between students and learning-content authors/teachers. In particular, we use our Learning Object Context Ontology (LOCO) framework to formalise the notion of learning object context as a complex interplay of learning activities, learning objects and learners. In addition, we rely on semantic annotation for establishing semantic relations among diverse learning artefacts (e.g. lessons and chat messages). These technologies enabled us to implement a number of feedback types (identified by interviewing several web-oriented professional educators) for content authors and teachers to help them improve their online courses. The implemented feedback is integrated in a tool named LOCO-Analyst, which actually extends the well-known learning content packing tool Reload Editor. LOCO-Analyst is tested on the real data obtained from the iHelp Courses Learning Content Management System and is evaluated by several educational practitioners.

Keywords: semantic web; usage analysis; learning design; learning objects; content authoring; e-learning; online learning; ontology; content management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCEELL.2008.016076

International Journal of Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning, 2008 Vol.18 No.1, pp.54 - 76

Published online: 05 Dec 2007 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article