Orchestrating e-learning using process-based languages: key issues and current solutions

by Darko Dugosija — last modified May 20, 2010 05:06 PM

Organizer Name

Manuel Caeiro-Rodríguez

Type of Workshop

Demo

Short Description

IMS Learning Design (IMS-LD) has been proposed several years ago (2003) to support the computational modelling of learning units in accordance to different pedagogical approaches. Using this language a teacher can compose a model of learning units by defining: (i) the activities that need to be worked out; (ii) the roles involved as learners and teachers; (iii) the environments available, including several kinds of resources: tools, services and documents; (iii) the assignment of roles to activities; (iv) the control flow among activities indicating what activity has to be done and when; (v) the data flow between activities; etc. Later, this model can be processed by an appropriate software system to orchestrate the e-learning experience as it has been specified. In this way, IMS-LD is a process-based solution that maintains some similarities with other process-based domains, such as workflows to support business or administrative tasks. Currently, there are several tools available that can be used to author and execute IMS-LD. For authoring we have ReCourse, e-LD, Graphical Learning Modeller (GPL), and Learning Process Configurator (LPC). Several IMS-LD players are available, such as Clix Prolix, Sled and Reload. In addition, there are other tools not compatible with IMS-LD that has been proposed to support process-based learning, such as LAMS or CompendiumLD. More over, several modelling languages have been proposed as alternative to IMS-LD: CoUML, COW, CPM, E2ML, LDL, MISA/MOT, PoEML, SLD2.0, etc. The experience obtained from the development and use of these languages and tools have provided us a better knowledge and understanding of the key issues to be supported by a process-based solution for e-learning. The goal of this proposal is to stand up these key issues. This can be developed by organizing a practical workshop or in a more theoretical lecture.

Lecturer Biography

Manuel Caeiro-Rodríguez received the M.Sc. degree in Telecommunication Engineering in 1999, and the Ph.D. degree in Telematics (European mention) in 2007; both at the University of Vigo, Spain. He has been assistant professor during the period 2002-2008 at the ETSI de Telecomunicaciones (Higher Technical School of Telecommunications Engineering) in the University of Vigo, Spain. He is currently an associate professor at the Department of Telematic Engineering at the same university.  Manuel has participated in several R&D projects in the areas of e-learning, middleware and Web engineering, and has published more than one hundred papers in international refereed journals and conference proceedings. His research interests include e-learning systems and telematic services. He has been a visiting research at the University of Coimbra (Portugal), IRISA in Rennes (France) and SZTAKI in Budapest (Hungary).Manuel has received the following hornors and awards:(i) the 2006-2007 IEEE Education Society Spanish Chapter award to the best PhD thesis in the field of e-learning; (ii) a IEEE/ASEE New Faculty Fellowship recognizing dedication to the practice of Engineering Education in the ASEE/IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference 2006; (iii) the "Education Track Best Paper” and “Conference Best Paper Finalist” to the best paper in the Electronic Learning trand and selected among the 8 best papers of the 11th International World Wide Web conference 2002; and (iv) the “Highlight Paper” to the best work in the Web and Education Area of the 10th International World Wide Web Conference, 2001.