ERIC Number: EJ875201
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2010-May
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0360-1315
EISSN: N/A
Semantic Search of Tools for Collaborative Learning with the Ontoolsearch System
Vega-Gorgojo, Guillermo; Bote-Lorenzo, Miguel L.; Asensio-Perez, Juan I.; Gomez-Sanchez, Eduardo; Dimitriadis, Yannis A.; Jorrin-Abellan, Ivan M.
Computers & Education, v54 n4 p835-848 May 2010
This paper introduces Ontoolsearch, a new search system that can be employed by educators in order to find suitable tools for supporting collaborative learning settings. Current tool search facilities commonly allow simple keyword searches, limiting the accuracy of obtained results. In contrast, Ontoolsearch supports semantic querying of tool knowledge bases annotated with the Ontoolcole ontology, specifically designed to fit educators' questions. Moreover, Ontoolsearch offers an innovative direct manipulation interface to educators, intended to facilitate query formulation as well as the analysis of obtained results. To evaluate this proposal, a group of educators was engaged in a formal comparison study of Ontoolsearch with a keyword search facility based on Lucene. Six search tasks were proposed, each responding to the learning tool needs of a real CSCL setting. Participants had to find tools for these search tasks using both systems alternatively. Evaluation results showed that retrieval performance was significantly better with Ontoolsearch, despite educators' previous experience with keyword searches. Further, educators rated very positively the user interface of Ontoolsearch and considered this system very useful to find tools for their own learning situations. (Contains 7 tables and 7 figures.)
Descriptors: Information Retrieval, Educational Resources, Comparative Analysis, Computer Software, Cooperative Learning, Learning Processes, Teaching Methods, Educational Technology, Computer Assisted Instruction, Computer Interfaces, Computer Software Evaluation, Search Strategies, Programming Languages, Natural Language Processing, Computer Uses in Education, Use Studies
Elsevier. 6277 Sea Harbor Drive, Orlando, FL 32887-4800. Tel: 877-839-7126; Tel: 407-345-4020; Fax: 407-363-1354; e-mail: usjcs@elsevier.com; Web site: http://www.elsevier.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A