Demonstrations and Research Network Reports

 

Demonstrations

During the conference, facilities (i.e. a Windows 9x compatible PC, an Apple Macintosh, and an ISDN connection) will be made available for educational organisations to give a one hour demonstration free of charge. You can register for this prior to the start of the conference by sending an email to: euro-cscl@mmi.unimaas.nl, or during the conference through the registration desk.
For information about the availability see the  schedule

There are two different stups. One for formal demonstrations with a small audience (Intel pentium III computer, Windows 98, Microsoft Office 97, Internet Explorer 5.0 XGA data projector, projection screen 2meter x 2meter, 10 chairs) and one for informal demonstrations (Intel pentium III computer, Windows 98, Microsoft Office 97, Internet Explorer 5.0, monitor, 2 chairs). 

 

There will be ongoing presentations from the following companies/products:

The following four demonstrations have been selected by the Programme Committee and can be attended in room 0.2 / 0.3.

 

Friday 23 March, 13.30 - 14.30 hrs

Distributed Research and Education Platforms in Engineering - Experience from Hydroengineering Examples
Dipl.-Ing. G. Hildebrandt, Dr.-Ing. B.-M. Brueggemann, Prof. Dr.-Ing. K.-P. Holz

Abstract:
Modern research and education projects in engineering require close cooperation between experts from different disciplines residing at different locations. A key issue in modern engineering projects is the permanent lookup and exchange of information between all involved experts. Internet and WWW-technologies offer possibilities to be used as base-technologies for developing "any time / any place" solutions.

 

Friday 23 March, 14.30 - 15.30 hrs

The ITCOLE Software -A Web-based Environment for Collaborative Learning and Knowledge Building
Leinonen, T., Hakkarainen K., Appelt W. , Dean,P., Cesareni, D., Gómez-Skarmetav, A. , Ligorio, B., Lipponen, L., Merisaari, L., Mielonen, S., Pontecorvo, C., Sligte, H., Talamo, A., & Vosniadou, S.

Abstract:
The purpose of this paper is to describe the theoretical and pedagogical backgrounds and design rationale of the ITCOLE (Innovative Technology for Collaborative Learning) project. The project focuses on designing and developing a modular knowledge-building environment. The ITCOLE software that will be developed is a highly scalable and easy to use environment that supports students' joint efforts to build knowledge together whether they are primary, secondary, or older students. The central metaphor of the ITCOLE system is that of shared electronic workspaces that students and teachers use for asynchronous and synchronous collaboration. The system will provide tools for community and team building as well as awareness tools and tutorware. The tool will provide users and their tutors with real-time information on several aspects of collaboration and will help them to manage the process of knowledge building. In order to facilitate scaling up of good pedagogical practices of using innovative learning technology, it is intended that the ITCOLE software will become available free of charge and mostly under open source terms for educational institutions. A downloadable pilot version of the ITCOLE server software under title Future Learning Environment 2 (Fle2) with some of the basic functionality is currently available (http://fle2.uiah.fi).

Keywords: modular learning environments, knowledge building, scaling up

 

Friday 23 March, 15.30 - 16.30 hrs

Integrating physical space and Internet with i2tv
Jasminko Novak, Monika Fleischmann, Wolfgang Strauss, Predrag Peranovic, Christoph Seibert, Claudia Valle

Abstract:
This paper is concerned with developing the concept of interactive Internet-TV (i2tv) as a basis for medial integration of Internet participants into events taking place at a real physical location. Interaction in real space is combined with actions of Internet participants into a new framework of cultural participation and production, such as distributed participatory theatre and interactive Mixed Reality TV productions. The paper discusses two main issues: (1) the development of the i2tv system as a technological framework for concepts integrating on-line and on-site participation, (2) the development of two concrete dramaturgical models and experiences with public trials. A theatrical model is presented in form of a distributed poetry play "Ottos Mops" bringing together an on-site performer and multiple on-line participants in a real-time networked performance based on sound poetry of the famous Austrian poet Ernst Jandl. The innovative aspect of the i2tv approach is the integration of Internet-based multi-user interaction and awareness with broadcast technologies such as Internet streaming and Virtual Studio, and with technologies for mixed reality in shared physical space. The developed participation models point beyond traditional models of game shows, quizzes, or social chats in 3D space, towards new forms of cultural events for connected communities.

 

Friday 23 March, 16.30 - 17.30 hrs

Profes-e, Platform for an E-learning Community
Marieke Reijken, Stanley Portier, Judy Tienhoven

Abstract:
Community learning and e-learning are hot items lately. In this paper aspects of the learning environment Profes-e are described in the context of community learning and e-learning. One of the main issues of success in this context is that the development of a learning environment occurs in a didactic setting. In the rationale of Profes-e this setting will be discussed. Independent learning and self-directed learning are crucial aspects in this setting. Also the concept of communities will be described. But what is the core of Profes-e? And how is this core situated in this didactic setting? An answer will be given in this paper. So this paper focuses on the didactic setting, but in the discussion the human factor is furthermore introduced. This human factor is a crucial factor of success in using the learning environment.

Research Network Report

Each Research Network Report will be presented in one session of two hours; one Research Network Report on Thursday and two on Friday. 

 

Thursday 22 March 2001
Afternoon 

Norwegian Network for IT-Research and Competence in Education 

Contact person: Ola Erstad, Head of Research ITU, Box 1161 University of Oslo, ola.erstad@itu.uio.no

Abstract:
The establishment of the Network for IT-Research and Competence in Education (ITU) is one of the measures taken by the Norwegian Ministry of Education to strengthen national R&D initiatives on pedagogical use of ICT in education. The aim of this report is two-folded. First we would like to stress the importance of such a national coordinating network in order to focus national research activities. To illustrate such activities the report will include three case presentations representing different perspectives on CSCL: (A) distributed collaborative telelearning at university level, B) virtual reality application for secondary schooling, and C) ICT in teacher education. Second, our aim is to propose that our Nordic framework, partly linked to our experiences with project-oriented pedagogy on all levels of the educational system, and our strong social democratic educational policy, makes our efforts within the field of CSCL different from what we see in other countries.

 

Friday 23 March 2001
Afternoon 

Euroland: A virtual community

Coordinator: M.B. Ligorio (University of Salerno - Visiting Scholar University Nijmegen) - E.mail: bealigorio@hotmail.com

List of presenters: M.B. Ligorio (University of Salerno - Visiting Scholar University of Nijmegen); D. Cesareni (University of Rome); A. Talamo (University of Rome); C. Zucchermaglio (University of Rome); B. Lauret (University of Amsterdam); J. Trimpe (University of Nijmegen); H. Vandermeijden (University of Nijmegen) 

Abstract:
Euroland (www.garamond.it/garamond) is a cross-national (Italy-The Netherlands) research project funded by the European community, lasted one academic year (1999/2000). The aim of the project is to build and sustain a virtual educational community using a three-dimensional, virtual reality software desktop and very user oriented called Active Worlds (www.activeworlds.com). Students, teachers and researchers filled an empty virtual world with a set of "cultural" and "social" 3D houses designed and built by collaborating at a distance through several communication tools. Results gathered will be presented under different points of views and a new project inspired by Euroland will be introduced.

 

Friday 23 March 2001
Afternoon 

Tools for Collaborative Learning: Design Aspects and Evaluation Questions 

The International Learning Program, a Collaborative Project of the Stanford Learning Laboratory and the Maastricht Learning Laboratory 

Contact: Charles Kerns, Associate Director, Learning Design, Rei, Stanford Learning Lab, Office of the President, Stanford University, CA 94305-2060, kernsc@stanford.edu 

Frans Ronteltap, Maastricht Learning Lab, Maastricht McLuhan Institute, Universiteit Maastricht, P.O.Box 616 , 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands, f.ronteltap@mmi.unimaas.nl 

Reinhold Steinbeck and George Toy, Stanford Learning Lab, and Gaby Lutgens, Maastricht Learning Lab 

Abstract:
The International Learning Program (ILP) provides a cooperative research and development environment for the advancement of student-centered collaborative learning activities. The program coordinates initiatives at Stanford University and the University of Maastricht, and aims to build an international community of expertise, co-invest in experiments, share technologies, methods and research results, and promote discussion of ideas, dissemination of results, and collaborative projects. In this session we will provide an overview of the collaboration between the two universities, the program's goals and achievements, as well as highlight a few case studies that address the use of collaborative learning tools in real courses.

 

Commercial demonstrations

Projectplace.nl biedt een continu geopend virtueel projectkantoor met een voor alle deelnemers onbeperkte toegankelijkheid. Daardoor kan op elk moment met de andere deelnemers vertrouwelijk worden gecommuniceerd, ongeacht waar die zich bevinden. Dat bespaart het immer moeizame ge-agendeer en reistijd. Het optimaliseert de kwaliteit en doeltreffendheid van de communicatie

Stoas demonstreert de elektronische leeromgeving Blackboard en het elektronisch toetssysteem Questionmark Perception. 
Elektronisch leren en toetsen biedt het reguliere onderwijs voordelen en verrijkt het. Met een elektronische leeromgeving (ELO) kan de onderwijsorganisatie haar eigen onderwijsvisie vormgeven. Vooral bij een parallel aanbod van klassikaal en on line onderwijs komt het onderwijs tegemoet aan de individuele leerbehoefte, leertempo en leerstijl van leerlingen en studenten. Een ELO maakt tijd- en plaatsonafhankelijk leren mogelijk en bevordert daarmee zelfstandigheid. Leren in een ELO bereidt studenten voor op het leren in onze kennisintensieve maatschappij. 
De Stoas Group ondersteunt instellingen bij de implementatie van elektronisch leren en toetsen. Wij begeleiden het management bij de planmatige aanpak van een fundamentele verandering in de organisatie en trainen docenten in het ontwerpen van de onderwijsinhoud en in het begeleiden van leerlingen die werken binnen de elektronische leeromgeving (TeleTrainer-opleiding). Daarnaast ondersteunen consultants van de Stoas Group de inrichting van de nieuwe systemen, verzorgen zij de integratie met de bestaande applicaties en is er een helpdesk. 
Op het gebied van afstandsleren is de Stoas Group partner van Blackboard Inc., de Amerikaanse marktleider in elektronische leeromgevingen (www.blackboard.com). Voor het leveren en implementeren van elektronische toetssystemen zijn wij partner van het Engelse Question Mark Ltd., wereldmarktleider in elektronisch toetsen (www.qmark.com).

 

Teamware Pl@za
Version 3.3

Making websites interactive
Teamware Pl@za is a collection of Internet services integrated into a Java based platform, with this you can create an interactive website in an easy way. Next to the standard functionalities that Teamware Pl@za offers with every installation, you can select the functionalities that you need. Because of this combination of tailored and "ready-made" services there is no need to start from "scrap" and makes implementation quicker. We can develop the Teamware Pl@za site according to your goals and necessaries. We can also together with you make sure that the site is implemented professionally.
Teamware Pl@za helps organizations and individuals to communicate efficiently and to exchange ideas and experiences. 
For more information on Teamware and Teamware Pl@za you can look at our website, www.teamware.com, or send an e-mail to: info@teamware.nl.

THE LEARNING KERNEL: FEATURES OF THE AUTHORING TOOL

  • It is a software tool entirely aimed at the instructor, easy to use, and with no IT knowledge required. Existing course material in Word, Powerpoint, Acrobat, LaTex, ... can easily be imported. As a result, the number of person-hours needed to construct a course will be reduced dramatically, thus creating an economic justification for this software.
  • The courses made with our software tool will really teach, because they are based on sound principles of Instructional Design.
  • It is also possible to access certain aspects of a course solely over the phone, for instance in one's car. This feature is especially useful to consult product descriptions, user manuals, maintenance procedures, ... 
  • The software is technologically advanced. TLK has chosen for the Java programming language and for XML. The use of XML makes it possible to separate the content of a course from its presentation. By switching to another style-sheet the student can change the way the course is presented ( colours, fonts, character sizes, ... ) without any involvment from the author. 
  • A course built with the software of TLK is not saved as fixed web pages. What the student will actually get on his/her screen is decided dynamically at run-time. It depends upon a number of parameters that are set partially by the instructor and partially by the student.
  • Thanks to the RealSpeak software of L&H, explanations and comments about pictures, graphs, ... can be read aloud to the student, in his mother tongue, without the need for the trainer to produce and maintain audio files. Scientific research provides evidence that this combination of visual and auditive stimuli facilitates the learning process and dramatically increases the retention period.
  • A major feature is the automatic translation of the course content into the mother tongue of the trainee. This feature will clearly be very important for multinational companies and institutions.
  • As an option, the content will be checked for Controlled Language. This will improve the readability and understandability of the text on the screen, and at the same time improve the quality of the machine translation.
  • The software of TLK is an open system that will comply with emerging standards and is compatible with the major 'virtual learning environments'.

For more information please contact Guido Meersseman
tel: (+32)(0)495-18.42.64
e-mail: guido.meersseman@flv.be

 

WebCT is een programma waarmee interactieve leeromgevingen op Internet kunnen worden aangeboden. Het bevat standaard een aantal gereedschappen die de docent of de ontwerper kan gebruiken bij het vormgeven van een cursus of leeromgeving. Met WebCT kunnen cursussen geheel on line gevolgd worden, maar het kan ook gebruikt worden om een bestaande cursus aan te vullen of uit te breiden. 
WebCT kan door zowel de docent en cursusontwerper als de student op elke gewenste plaats waar zich een Internetaansluiting en een computer met browser bevindt (thuis, op school, in de bibliotheek etc.) gebruikt worden.
WebCT biedt een grote verzameling hulpmiddelen en mogelijkheden om een leeromgeving naar eigen wens vorm te geven en te gebruiken. Voorbeelden hiervan zijn: een prikbord, een conversatieruimte, e-mail, een kalender, homepages voor studenten, een studentenvolgsysteem, mogelijkheid om groepsprojecten te laten uitvoeren en te presenteren, het genereren van een automatische inhoudsopgave, het afnemen, automatisch nakijken en beheren van toetsen, cijfers en nog veel meer. 
WebCT vraagt geen technische kennis van de docent of cursusontwerper. De interface van WebCT maakt het mogelijk om zonder programmeerwerk het uiterlijk en de inhoud van een cursus te bepalen. U kunt ook een HTML-editor gebruiken om nog fraaiere cursuspagina's te maken.
Binnenkort zal de Nederlandse versie van WebCT 3 verschijnen, inclusief alle bijbehorende documentatie en helpbestanden. Daarnaast kunnen gebruikers zich wenden tot Nederlandstalige helpdeskmedewerkers.
Meer informatie over hoe WebCT werkt vindt u op de site van het Canadees/Amerikaans moederbedrijf WebCT dat de Engelstalige versie van WebCT op de markt brengt. Bekijk hiervoor de volgende pagina: http://www.webct.com .Daar kunt U ook WebCT uitproberen door zelf een cursus te maken, of een bestaande cursus te bekijken.
Als u belangstelling hebt voor WebCT kunt u een e-mail sturen naar info@webct.nl. Wij beantwoorden graag al uw vragen.