ERIC Number: EJ814037
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2007
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1436-4522
EISSN: N/A
Enhancing the Quality of E-Learning in Virtual Learning Communities by Finding Quality Learning Content and Trustworthy Collaborators
Yang, Stephen J. H.; Chen, Irene Y. L.; Kinshuk; Chen, Nian-Shing
Educational Technology & Society, v10 n2 p84-95 2007
Virtual learning communities encourage members to learn and contribute knowledge. However, knowledge sharing requires mutual-trust collaboration between learners and the contribution of quality knowledge. This task cannot be accomplished by simply storing learning content in repositories. It requires a mechanism to help learners find relevant learning content as well as knowledgeable collaborators to work with. In this paper, we present a peer-to-peer based social network to enhance the quality of e-learning regarding knowledge sharing in virtual learning communities. From a technical viewpoint, we will present advanced semantic search mechanisms for finding quality content and trustworthy collaborators. From the social viewpoint, we will address how to support a trustworthy social network that encourages learners to share. Results of this research demonstrate that applying such mechanisms to knowledge sharing can improve the quality of e-learning in virtual learning communities. (Contains 5 figures and 2 tables.)
Descriptors: Electronic Learning, Educational Quality, Virtual Classrooms, Trust (Psychology), Cooperation, Social Networks, Peer Relationship, Quality Control, Classification
International Forum of Educational Technology & Society. Athabasca University, School of Computing & Information Systems, 1 University Drive, Athabasca, AB T9S 3A3, Canada. Tel: 780-675-6812; Fax: 780-675-6973; Web site: http://www.ifets.info
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A