Title: Topic maps as indexing tools in e-learning: bridging theoretical and practical gaps between information retrieval and educational psychology

Authors: Vivek Venkatesh

Addresses: Educational Technology Program, Department of Education, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada

Abstract: This paper describes an empirical study investigating graduate learners| use of topic map indexing technologies to browse a neo-corpus of annotated essays. The author posits that theories of cognitive information retrieval can best formalise abstract notions of learner cognitions like task understanding and self-regulated learning in the context of navigation of large online corpora. In effect, the manual development of education-related topic map ontologies must be based on a combined theory of information sciences and educational psychology. Discussions are grounded in a practical case-study describing the development of a topic map currently in use at a large North American University.

Keywords: topic maps; ISO 13250; indexing technologies; e-learning; information retrieval theory; educational psychology; online learning; graduate learning; annotated essays; cognitive information retrieval; task understanding; self-regulated learning; ontologies.

DOI: 10.1504/IJAMC.2008.020177

International Journal of Advanced Media and Communication, 2008 Vol.2 No.3, pp.221 - 235

Published online: 07 Sep 2008 *

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