Title: AIMS: learning and teaching support for WWW-based education

Authors: Lora Aroyo, Darina Dicheva

Addresses: Faculty of Educational Science and Technology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands. Department of Computer Science, Winston-Salem State University, 601 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27110, USA

Abstract: This paper addresses an innovative approach to learning and teaching support in respect of information handling and knowledge management within web-based learning environments, where learners perform open learning tasks. The approach involves integrated domain-oriented informational support for both learners and instructors. It has three significant aspects: 1, building a domain ontology (represented as a concept map) and using it for defining course structures; 2, powerful visualisation and graphical navigation of the subject domain and the information search results; and 3, adaptation to the individual information needs and preferences of the learners. A system prototype called AIMS exemplifies the main ideas of this approach. It represents a task-based information and performance support system with an underlying agent-oriented architecture. Several pilot experiments are being performed within web-based courses in Dutch and Belgian universities to evaluate the system.

Keywords: web-based learning; intelligent information handling; concept mapping.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCEELL.2001.000390

International Journal of Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning, 2001 Vol.11 No.1/2, pp.152-164

Published online: 16 Jul 2003 *

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