In this paper, we present a review on the use of ontologies in learning object repositories systems for searching and suggestion purposes, considering its adoption for the seaThings project that aims to promote the ocean literacy. We also describe the use case of the Cognix system and Agent-based Learning Objects -OBAA metadata standard for learning objects which is being implemented on a new learning objects repository. This system includes concepts from artificial intelligence such as agents and ontologies that aim to improve the search and so making the system more responsive. This paper also sugests how an ontology can be implemented, using metadata in learning object repositories to provide relevant aspects, such as interoperability, reuse, and searching.
Metadata is broadly used to describe learning objects and its standards have been developed to improve interoperability. With the current Web extension by the Semantic Web, learning object metadata has been migrating from XML-based metadata formats to semantic metadata formats. This work explores XSLT to provide a solution for this transition of descriptions to educational metadata. The approach consists of retrieve, convert, and store metadata in Semantic Web context. In this work, we converted OBAA metadata in XML to OWL format. The OWL format improved the description semantics and allowed reasoner inference. The converted metadata can be managed by different applications and systems. Along with that, we proposed a strategy to OWL ontology alignment.
Current literature shows the lack of learning object repositories exclusively related to environmental education and that there is no predominant software. This paper presents Re-Mar, a marine learning object repository based on open source software. Re-Mar is a part of an effort to promote ocean literacy through educational content for students and teachers. The repository is supported by computational technologies to catalog and organize learning objects to retrieve and reuse. Our prototype shows that is possible to store, catalog, retrieve, and link learning objects to support environmental education and coping with learning objects lifecycle. This is the first step to future aggregation of linked data, ontologies, and artificial intelligence aspects.
This paper seeks to identify the pedagogical resources used by kindergarten, primary and secondary teachers in Azores Islands. Additionally, an investigation will be made into how these resources are mobilized in teachers’ pedagogical practice, with the aim of understanding to what extent digital resources, particularly learning objects, are present in schools. For this purpose, a study was developed, which included a questionnaire survey conducted online, and sent to teachers in 2021/22. A total of 426 answers allowed us to conclude that the use of pedagogical resources is still far from the current and emerging need to mobilize digital resources, particularly learning objects, as a tool to enhance meaningful learning.
The digital learning transformation brings the extension of the traditional libraries to online repositories. Learning object repositories are employed to deliver several functionalities related to the learning object's lifecycle. However, these educational resources usually are not described effectively, lacking, for example, educational metadata and learning goals. Then, metadata incompleteness limits the quality of the services, such as search and recommendation, resulting in educational objects that do not have a proper role in teaching/learning environments. This work proposes to bring an active role to all educational resources, acting on the analysis generated from the usage statistics. To achieve this goal, we created a multi-agent architecture that complements the common repository's functionalities to improve learning and teaching experiences. We intend to use this architecture on a repository focused on ocean literacy learning objects. This paper presents some steps toward this goal by enhancing, when needed, the repository to adapt itself.
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