This document summarizes Zoran Jeremić's PhD dissertation on using semantic web technologies to support collaborative learning. It outlines the basic concepts of collaborative learning and semantic web technologies. It then describes the DEPTHS system, which uses an ontology and semantic web services to provide context-aware learning resources and tools to support project-based learning of software design patterns. An evaluation with students found the DEPTHS approach was generally effective for learning patterns and the integrated tools were useful.

1. Collaborative learning using Semantic Web technologies Zoran Jeremić PhD dissertation [email_address]

2. Outline Basic concepts Description of suggested solution Learning scenario Ontolo gical foundation System architecture Educational services Motivation and pedagogical background Evaluation Conclusion

3. Basic concepts Collaborative learning – educational approach to the learning process that includes groups of students working together on solving a common problem or performing other tasks . Software patterns – experience and knowledge of other people in solving common problems in software design expressed in that way that it could be used by other people. Semantic Web – provides common environment that enables sharing and exchange of data between different applications on the Web . Ontology – set of concepts and their relations that describe some domain or area of knowledge .

4. Motivation Learning at the pace and in a place that best suits students’ knowledge, skills and experiences. Experiencing patterns-based software development in the context of real-world problems. Use of collaborative tools in learning process. Right-in-time access to the online repositories and communities of practice. Providing teachers with feedback about students learning activities and usage of learning content.

5. Pedagogical background Learning methods Active learning, creative thinking, critical thinking Learning theories Learning through design Project-based learning Genex framework Collect, relate, create and donate

6. Learning scenario

7. Suggested solution : DEPTHS Design Patterns Teaching Help System Semantic Web environment : knowledge sharing

8. Suggested solution : DEPTHS Advantages of suggested solution in teaching process : Reuse of existing resources – teacher will spent less time for lesson development . Improve learning efficiency through the recommendation of relevant online resources and content. Creation of effective social connections. Enhancing quality of learning personalization through the use of common semantic repository . advantages

9. Learning Context ontolog y Learning Object Context Ontology (LOCO) framework

10. Learning Context ontologija proširenja

11. Domenska ontologija

12. DEPTHS architecture Moodle ArgoUML LOCO-Analyst

13. Learning services Semantic annotation and indexing Publically accessible online repositories of software patterns ( e.g. Yahoo Design Pattern Library, Portland Pattern Repository, Hilside.net Pattern Catalog, Wikipedia...) Internally produced content ( chat messages, discussions, ideas ...) KIM framework Term-frequency-inverse document frequency (TF-IDF) – selecting documents significant for specific problem ( software patterns ). Cosine similarity – comparing with given term, documents are sorted based on their relevance .

14. Learning services Context-aware learning services Web resource finding Recommendation based on the system estimation and users assessment Discovery of relevant internally produced resources Discussion threads, brainstorming notes , similar problems ... Experts, teachers and peers discovery

15. Learning services

16. Evaluation Performed in February 2009 University of Belgrade with 13 students Perceived effectiveness of DEPTHS for learning DPs effectiveness of project-based learning approach usefulness of integrated tools usefulness of access to relevant resources and sharing of information affects learning

17. Evaluation Students’ perception of learning with DEPTHS Comparing to traditional learning Usefulness of integrated tools and services 30.77% reported technical problems Not very useful Less effective Same More effective 0% 15.38% 53.85% 30.77% 1 2 3 4 5 Web resource finding 0.00% 0.00% 7.69% 15.38% 76.92% Internal content finding 0.00% 0.00% 15.38% 69.23% 15.38% Peer finding 0.00% 0.00% 15.38% 46.15% 38.46% Brainstorming 0.00% 7.69% 15.38% 46.15% 30.77%

18. Conclusion DEPTHS Project-based learning Integrative and collaborative Context-aware and proactive Ubiquitous knowledge management & sharing Future work Workplace learning – and working Portfolio management

19. Collaborative learning using Semantic Web technologies Zoran Jeremić PhD dissertation [email_address]