bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modeling and Managing Heterogeneous Patterns
Authors: Maddalena Anna , Catania Barbara
Published: May 2011

Patterns can be defined as concise, but rich in semantics, representations of data. Due to pattern characteristics, ad-hoc systems are required for pattern management, in order to deal with them in an efficient and effective way. Several approaches have been proposed, both by scientific and industrial communities, to cope with pattern management problems. Unfortunately, most of them deal with few types of patterns and mainly concern extraction issues. Little effort has been posed in defining an overall framework dedicated to the management of different types of patterns, possibly user-defined, in a homogeneous way. In this chapter we present PSYCHO (Pattern based SYstem arCHitecture prOtotype), a system prototype providing an integrated environment for generating, representing, and manipulating heterogeneous patterns, possibly user-defined. After presenting PSYCHO logical model and architecture, we will focus on several examples of its usage concerning common market basket analysis patterns, i.e. association rules and clusters.
Introduction
Authors: Rada Roy
Published: May 2011

Healthcare is one of the greatest single cost items for citizens in many developed countries. Information is fundamental to healthcare. Yet information systems to support health are underdeveloped.
Implementation of E-Governance
Authors: Sharma Lalitsen
Published: May 2011

This chapter deals with some technical issues and challenges in implementing e governance at national level. It also discusses different stages of implementations of e governance system and recommends on developing successful ICT strategies incorporating comprehensive e governance action plans.
Delivering More Effective Community Consultation and Support for Regional ICT Programs
Authors: De Weaver Lynne
Published: May 2011

This chapter looks at the role of language and the community consultation process in overcoming the digital divide by facilitating the uptake of information and communications technologies (ICT) in small regional communities in Australia. It focuses on one of the ‘telecentre’ programs funded by State and Federal governments in Australia – the Community Technology Centre at New South Wales (CTC@NSW) program. The authors look at some of the key issues that emerged in communities that applied for CTC@NSW grants when a more culturally relevant consultation process, based on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, was developed and implemented. This consultation process was successfully used in targeted regional communities to build social capital, facilitate regional economic development and empower communities through the use of ICT. The chapter also includes projects that demonstrate the diversity of ICT usage in the communities that received funding to establish a CTC.
Policy Initiatives in Jamaica and their Impact on the Development of ICT
Authors: Thompson Sheryl
Published: May 2011

The chapter explores the diffusion of information and communications technology (ICT) in the country of Jamaica, and within the context of the national strategic plan for information technology. Further it utilizes the concept of institutional intervention to discuss some policies and initiatives undertaken in support of the plan. Within this framework, the impacts of managed interventions via collaborative projects between government and international agencies on the adoption of Internet technologies by small and medium-sized enterprises are also examined. The aim of the authors is to indicate that as far as developing countries are concerned, governments can affect the diffusion and adoption of ICT through policymaking but more positive outcomes can be realized through managed interventions.
Business Data Warehouse
Authors: Bose Indranil , Chun Lam Albert Kar , Yue Leung Vivien Wai , Ines Li Hoi Wan , Helen Wong Oi Ling
Published: May 2011

The retailing giant Wal-Mart owes its success to the efficient use of information technology in its operations. One of the noteworthy advances made by Wal-Mart is the development of the data warehouse which gives the company a strategic advantage over its competitors. In this chapter, the planning and implementation of the Wal-Mart data warehouse is described and its integration with the operational systems is discussed. The chapter also highlights some of the problems encountered in the developmental process of the data warehouse. The implications of the recent advances in technologies such as RFID, which is likely to play an important role in the Wal-Mart data warehouse in future, is also detailed in this chapter.
Medical Applications of Nanotechnology in the Research Literature
Authors: Kostoff Ronald N. , Koytcheff Raymond G. , Lau Clifford G.Y.
Published: May 2011

The medical applications literature associated with nanoscience and nanotechnology research was examined. About 65,000 nanotechnology records for 2005 were retrieved from the Science Citation Index/ Social Science Citation Index (SCI/SSCI) using a comprehensive 300+ term query. The medical applications were identified through a fuzzy clustering process. Metrics associated with research literatures for specific medical applications/ applications groups were generated.
Referent Tracking for Corporate Memories
Authors: Cesusters Werner , Smith Barry
Published: May 2011

For corporate memory and enterprise ontology systems to be maximally useful, they must be freed from certain barriers placed around them by traditional knowledge management paradigms. This means, above all, that they must mirror more faithfully those portions of reality which are salient to the workings of the enterprise, including the changes that occur with the passage of time. The purpose of this chapter is to demonstrate how theories based on philosophical realism can contribute to this objective. We discuss how realism-based ontologies (capturing what is generic) combined with referent tracking (capturing what is specific) can play a key role in building the robust and useful corporate memories of the future.
Ontology Design for Interaction in a Reasonable Enterprise
Authors: Gangemi Aldo , Presutti Valentina
Published: May 2011

In this chapter we show a simple example of how different but complementary approaches to enterprise business interaction modeling (e.g., business process management, business objects, e-services, workflow management systems, etc.) can be reengineered and integrated within a same formal context. Our method is based on content ontology design patterns (CODePs), which provide a conceptual tool to build content modularly, and to describe an enterprise and its interactions in the same domain of discourse as its social and informational contexts. The objectives of our method include: (1) encoding the requirements from the communities of practice involved in business interactions; (2) reengineering and integrating existing languages and ontologies for business interaction; (3) creating a formal infrastructure to represent the dependencies between enterprises, social interaction and practices, legal regulations, and the physical world. As a result, entities like organizations, roles, social relationships, material resources, information objects, workflows, events, and so forth, are represented according to a set of modular, interoperable ontologies.
Ontology as Information System Support for Supply Chain Management
Authors: Chandra Charu
Published: May 2011

Information is essential to integrating business processes. An information organization framework formalized as a reference model is proposed. It captures the specifics (e.g., dynamics and uncertainty) and functional requirements (e.g., information standardization and problem-orientation) of a supply chain (SC), assumed as a managerial, dynamic, complex, and open system. An information modeling formalism is presented that captures different aspects of SC information system support (ISS) as follows: (1) system taxonomy, tackling the problem of information standardization and unified presentation, (2) problem taxonomy, aiming to capture SC operational specifics, such as problem classification and modeling, (3) ontology, for representing problem specific knowledge in a computational language, and (4) ontology-driven information system, accumulating the above components in a collaborative environment, where SC members work on common problems. A SC-ISS reference model is introduced covering components of the above groupings. An industrial case study is presented.
Matching Dynamic Demands of Mobile Users with Dynamic Service Offers
Authors: Holtkamp Bernhard , Weißenberg Norbert , Wojciechowski Manfred , Gartmann Rudiger
Published: May 2011

This chapter describes the use of ontologies for personalized situation-aware information and service supply of mobile users in different application domains. A modular application ontology, composed of upper-level ontologies such as location and time ontologies and of domain-specific ontologies, acts as a semantic reference model for a compatible description of user demands and service offers in a service-oriented information-logistical platform. The authors point out that the practical deployment of the platform proved the viability of the conceptual approach and exhibited the need for a more performant implementation of inference engines in mobile multi-user scenarios. Furthermore, the authors hope that understanding the underlying concepts and domain-specific application constraints will help researchers and practitioners building more sophisticated applications not only in the domains tackled in this chapter but also transferring the concepts to other domains.
Knowledge Management Support for Enterprise Distributed Systems
Authors: Chen-Burger Yun-Heh , Kalfoglou Yannis
Published: May 2011

Explosion of information and increasing demands on semantic processing Web applications have pushed software systems to their limits. To address this problem, we propose a semantic-based formal framework (ADP) that makes use of promising technologies to enable knowledge generation and retrieval. We argue that this approach is costeffective, as it reuses and builds on existing knowledge and structure. It is also a good starting point for creating an Organizational Memory and providing Knowledge Management functions.
The Adoption and Use of Smart Card Technology in Banking
Authors: M’Chirgui Zouhaïer , Chanel Olivier
Published: May 2011

The electronic purse is one of the latest smart card applications. It handles small payments and is complementary to other payment cards. However, there have been considerable obstacles to its widespread adoption and use by customers and retailers. This chapter explores and models the factors - economic, technological and social - and forces driving the adoption and use of the Moneo electronic purse in the South of France. An empirical study on 200 individuals allows us to analyse the determinants of the probability of adoption for consumers and retailers (Logit models) and of the frequency of use for consumers (Poisson model). The latter is found to be significantly explained by four factors (relative advantage, cost, visibility and security), income and gender with the expected sign. Finally, the reasons why Moneo’s introduction seems to have met with failure are determined, and potential solutions to help reach the required critical mass by redirecting marketing strategies are proposed.
Smart Cards in the Banking Industry
Authors: Wonglimpiyarat Jarunee
Published: May 2011

This chapter is concerned with the challenges of smart cards as a system innovation in the banking industry. System innovation is the innovation which cannot be adequately introduced by a single entity and is likely to fail unless two or more parties collectively accept the innovation. The study aims to understand the network system nature of smart cards. The comparative study of previous bank card innovations (ATM/Cash cards, Credit cards, EFTPOS/Debit cards) suggests a collaborative approach to reduce the risk of competitive innovation in the case of smart cards. However, the current situation reflects the competition among the powerful players. Unless innovators in the smart card industry see the benefits of collaboration, the diffusion of smart cards may not happen. Innovators may use an empirical analysis in this chapter to define strategic approach for their plan to compete in the smart card industry.
Fuzzy Modelling for Integrated Strategic Planning for Information Systems and Business Process Design
Authors: Kardaras Dimitris K. , Karakostas Bill
Published: May 2011

Strategic Information Systems Planning (SISP) has been a continuing top concern for IS/IT management, since the mid 1980’s. Responding to the increasing interest in SISP, researchers have developed a large number of SISP methodologies and models. However, when organisations embark on planning for their information systems, they face difficulties and usually fail to gain the expected benefits. Strategic alignment and the identification of the business areas where the IT contribution is strategically important for the organisation are the most difficult problems in SISP. None of the existing SISP methodologies and models offers a complete solution. The approach presented in this chapter, utilises a Fuzzy Cognitive Map in order to align strategic objectives with IS opportunities that exist at the level of business processes. This chapter exemplifies fuzzy cognitive mapping in SISP, and illustrates how the strategic alignment between the business and IT domains can be realised.
Developing an E-Government Roadmap for Developing Countries
Authors: Shepherdson Cuthbert , Tan Albert Wee Kwan , Tran Van Nam
Published: May 2011

Developing countries, opting to pursue services-oriented economies, have invested in information and communication technologies (ICT) to enhance their competitiveness in the global environment. This has called for improved management in both public and private sectors and as a consequence governments, some of which have undertaken public sector reform, now seem ready to embrace e-Government. However, experience even in developed countries has shown that incorporating e-Government practices is not a sure means of attaining desired goals. This paper examines the position of Vietnam, as it becomes a member of WTO in implementing E-Government. Some E-Government initiatives taken are identified and an IT roadmap is recommended as a means of achieving a successful transformation. This roadmap emphasizes a holistic approach to analyze existing performance gaps and identify E-Government opportunities for Vietnam.
Designing a M-Health Framework for Conceptualizing Mobile Health Systems
Authors: Olla Phillip , Tan Joseph
Published: May 2011

The reference model presented in this chapter encourages the breakdown of m-health systems into the following five key dimensions: communication infrastructure: this is a description of the mobile telecommunication technologies and networks; device type: this relates to the type of device being used such as PDA, sensor, or tablet PC; data display: describes how the data will be displayed to the user and transmitted such as images, e-mail and textual data; application purpose: identification of the objective for the m-health system; application domain: definition of the area that the system will be implemented. Healthcare stakeholders and system implementer can use the reference model presented in this chapter to understand the security implications of the proposed system, identify the technological infrastructure, business requirements and operational needs of the m-health systems being implemented. A reference model to encapsulate the emerging m-health field is needed for cumulative progress in this field. Currently, the m-health field is disjointed and it is often unclear what constitutes an m-health system. In the future, m-health applications will take advantage of technological advances such as device miniaturizations, device convergence, high-speed mobile networks, and improved medical sensors. This will lead to the increased diffusion of clinical m-health systems requiring better understanding of the components, which constitute the m-health system.
Factors Motivating the Acceptance of New Information and Communication Technologies in UK Healthcare
Authors: Osbourne Janice A. , Clarke Malcolm
Published: May 2011

This paper discusses the use of three published models, the technology acceptance model (TAM), Rogers diffusion of innovation theory (IDT), and the Triandis theory of interpersonal behaviour (TIB), and attempts to bring them together in an integrated model to better predict the adoption of new information and communication technologies by a cohort of health professionals within UK primary care in an attempt to aid implementers in bringing technology in at an organizational level.
Entrepreneurial IT Governance in a Rural Family Practice Residency Program
Authors: Wiggins Carla , Beachboard John C. , Trimmer Kenneth , Pumphrey Lela “Kitty”
Published: May 2011

This study describes and assesses the evolution of IT governance practices in a rural family practice residency program. The need to establish IT governance was driven by the practice’s desire to implement electronic medical records capability. The authors employed a prominent information technology (IT) governance framework to conduct this assessment and exposed significant strengths and weaknesses in terms of the suitability of the IT governance framework within the rural healthcare setting as described. Given the relatively slow adoption rates within the healthcare industry in general, and among rural health providers more specifically, we present local knowledge (Geertz, 1985). In doing so, we provide an additional perspective for those seeking to construct theoretical bases for the formulation of health policy intended to promote the adoption of IT as a means of improving healthcare in the rural United States. In addition, this chapter describes the role of IT in enabling the residency practice to embrace current practice improvement initiatives.
Convergence Broadcast and Telecommunication Services
Authors: Navarro-Prieto Raquel , Berbegal Nídia
Published: May 2011

The aim of this chapter is to present an example of the user-centered design cycle for the development of innovative convergence services and technology of broadcast and mobile networks. We will describe three main phases that encompass our work. During the first phase, we focused on the validation of the scenarios developed as well as requirements for the services portrayed in the scenarios, taking into consideration cultural differences among countries. Then we studied in-depth requirements for specific services (mobile TV and personalized alerting). Last, we performed a usability test in three countries to test navigational aspects, users’ understanding of icons and menus, and user acceptance of the mockup. We will explain how combining different methodological approaches (that is, contextual research, experimental studies, and usability tests) have proven to be very useful in gathering and validating user needs, scenarios, and interfaces for these complex services. In general, we would like to highlight that technology developers have to be careful about the amount of information presented, since users are very sensitive to information overload both for mobile TV and for alerting systems. Once again, for mobile services, less is more.
Wireless Ad Hoc Networks
Authors: Rakocevic Veselin , Hamadani Ehsan
Published: May 2011

Seamless communication between computing devices is an essential part of the new world of ubiquitous computing. To achieve the concept of a “disappearing computer,” it is necessary to establish reliable and simple communication principles to enhance the usability and the efficiency of the ubiquitous computing devices. It is also important to use wireless links and to enable devices to quickly create and manage networks ad hoc, without any need for network infrastructure. This chapter presents the design principles for such networks. The main features of these networks are analysed, including the principles of medium access control and routing, along with the current standardisation and development activities. Special attention is paid to the low power design of wireless ad hoc networks. Low power design is important because of the predicted self-organisation, small size, and extended scalability of ubiquitous computing networks. In such an environment, it is important to extend the network lifetime by deploying power sensitive network algorithms and protocols.
Reducing the Complexity of Modeling Large Software Systems
Authors: White Jules , Schmidt Douglas C. , Nechypurenko Andrey , Wuchner Egon
Published: May 2011

Model-driven development is one approach to combating the complexity of designing software intensive systems. A model-driven approach allows designers to use domain notations to specify solutions and domain constraints to ensure that the proposed solutions meet the required objectives. Many domains, however, require models that are either so large or intricately constrained that it is extremely difficult to manually specify a correct solution. This chapter presents an approach to provide that leverages a constraint solver to provide modeling guidance to a domain expert. The chapter presents both a practical framework for transforming models into constraint satisfaction problems and shows how the Command Pattern can be used to integrate a constraint solver into a modeling tool.
Parallelizing Genetic Algorithms
Authors: Gondra Iker
Published: May 2011

Genetic Algorithms (GA), which are based on the idea of optimizing by simulating the natural processes of evolution, have proven successful in solving complex problems that are not easily solved through conventional methods. This chapter introduces their major steps, operators, theoretical foundations, and problems. A parallel GA is an extension of the classical GA that takes advantage of a GA’s inherent parallelism to improve its time performance and reduce the likelihood of premature convergence. An overview of different models for parallelizing GAs is presented along with a discussion of their main advantages and disadvantages. A case study: A parallel GA for finding Ramsey Numbers is then presented. According to Ramsey Theory, a sufficiently large system (no matter how random) will always contain highly organized subsystems. The role of Ramsey numbers is to quantify some of these existential theorems. Finding Ramsey numbers has proven to be a very difficult task that has led researchers to experiment with different methods of accomplishing this task. The objective of the case study is both to illustrate the typical process of GA development and to verify the superior performance of parallel GAs in solving some of the problems (e.g., premature convergence) of traditional GAs.
Network Traffic and Data
Authors: Wang Yu
Published: May 2011

In this chapter we will focus on examining computer network traffic and data. A computer network combines a set of computers and physically and logically connects them together to exchange information. Network traffic acquired from a network system provides information on data communications within the network and between networks or individual computers. The most common data types are log data, such as Kerberos logs, transmission control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP) logs, Central processing unit (CPU) usage data, event logs, user command data, Internet visit data, operating system audit trail data, intrusion detection and prevention service (IDS/IPS) logs, Netflow1 data, and the simple network management protocol (SNMP) reporting data. Such information is unique and valuable for network security, specifically for intrusion detection and prevention. Although we have already presented some essential challenges in collecting such data in Chapter I, we will discuss traffic data, as well as other related data, in greater detail in this chapter. Specifically, we will describe system-specific and user-specific data types in Sections System- Specific Data and User-Specific Data, respectively, and provide detailed information on publicly available data in Section Publicly Available Data.
Key Enabling Technologies
Authors: Xu Xun
Published: May 2011

While computers have proven to be instrumental in the advancement of product design and manufacturing processes, the role that various technologies have played over the years can never be over-estimated. Because of the intimate involvement of computers in the product development chain, technologies that have severed as enablers are in many cases all software- oriented. There are a number of issues that a technology needs to address in better support of CAD, CAPP, CAM, CNC, PDM, PLM, and so forth. Knowledge acquisition and utilization is one of the top priorities and very often the first step of actions. Intelligent reasoning and optimization is another important task. More often than not, the optimization problems have multi-objectives and multi-constraints that are highly non-linear, discrete, and sometimes fuzzy. Among the technologies that have been developed in the recent past are knowledgebased (expert) system, artificial neural network (ANN), genetic algorithm (GA), agent-based technology, fuzzy logic, Petri Nets, and ant colony optimisation. An expert system is a computer system which includes a well-organized body of knowledge in a bounded domain, and is able to simulate the problem solving skill of a human expert in a particular field. Neural networks are the techniques that can work by simulating the human neuron function, and using the weights distributed among their neurons to perform implicit inference. The genetic algorithms mimic the process of natural evolution by combining the survival of the fittest among solution structures with a structured, yet randomized, information exchange. Agent-based technology utilizes agents as intelligent entities capable of independently regulating, reasoning and decision-making to carry out actions and to achieve a specific goal or a set of goals. This chapter discusses these four technologies together with some applications of these technologies. Also briefly mentioned are the fuzzy logic, Petri Nets, and ant colony optimization methods. The objective is not to give a detailed account for each of these technologies. Instead, the intention is to introduce the technologies that are relevant to and suitable for applications such as CAD, CAPP, CAM, CNC, PDM, and PLM, as well as their integrations. This chapter can also be considered as a focal place for those who are interested in the technologies to further explore, as a collection of over 130 research publications have been cited and are all listed in the reference list at the back.
Knowledge Creation in Urban and Knowledge Environment
Authors: Van Wezemael Joris E.
Published: May 2011

Today, knowledge is addressed as a key driver in urban development. From an urban planner’s perspective, however, it seems that the knowledge we talk about is out there in so-called knowledge industries. Knowledge-based urban development refers to development of city regions that are more or less driven by the knowledge economy, or to opportunities to attract knowledge workers in order to fuel economic growth in specific areas. The aim of this chapter is conceptualizing what knowledge and learning mean to, and in, contemporary planning praxis. The chapter discusses the key concepts of knowing and their relation to doing. By mooting a theory of assemblages, the chapter further provides a foundation for the analysis and the enforcement of learning in urban development praxis. Drawing on research on learning organizations, this chapter provides a basis for the contribution of urban planning to knowledge-based urban development.
Creative Industries and the Urban Hierarchy
Authors: Baum Scott , Yigitcanlar Tan , O’Connor Kevin
Published: May 2011

As the 21st century progresses, the most successful economies and societies will be creative ones. Worldwide, governments are producing strategies to encourage the development of creative industries and to strengthen the role of knowledge cities nationally and internationally. There is significant policy discussion regarding the role of creative clusters in strengthening local economies and significant energy has been expended discussing the many positive outcomes of such developments. This chapter takes these issues as a starting point and considers the role of creative industries within broader concerns regarding regional development. Referring to data and analysis on the urban and regional geographies of creative industries the chapter considers the extent to which places at different levels of the settlement hierarchy can successfully develop creative industry nodes.
Towards ubiquitous city
Authors: Lee Sang Ho , Han Jung Hoon , Leem Yoon Taik , Yigitcanlar Tan
Published: May 2011

The rapid development of information and communication technologies had a significant effect on contemporary urban and regional planning. Ever since Mitchell (1999) envisaged a vision of ‘E-topia’, a development of robust delivery system for the digital network into knowledge-based urban development has been rigorously challenged. Information and communication technologies are evolving cities from virtual city, which reproduces urban elements inside the virtual computer world, to ubiquitous city, where the ubiquitous computing amongst urban elements such as people, buildings, infrastructure and urban space is available. Nevertheless a strategic ubiquitous city planning is yet to be addressed in an integrated manner by planners and regional analysts because the technologies and applications still need to be fully developed. The Republic of Korea has recently had some experience in developing the ubiquitous city concept and planning principals as a means of knowledge-based urban development. This chapter introduces key ubiquitous technologies, and discusses implications of the ubiquitous city concept into planning and design schemes for knowledge-based urban development in the Republic of Korea.
Urban competitiveness in the knowledge economy
Authors: Winden Willem van , Carvalho Luis
Published: May 2011

The chapter focuses on the growing territorial imbalances between urban regions in the light of the sometimes painful transition towards a knowledge-based economy. Drawing from the vast literature on urban competitiveness, it develops an integrative framework to asses and compare urban regions’ performance and assets in the emerging knowledge-based economy. In a second stage, the framework is applied to the Portuguese metropolis of Porto and Lisbon in order to illustrate how the current tendency toward de-industrialisation and knowledge-based development affects different types of cities. Using the framework concepts, the chapter concludes with policy recommendations to support national and urban policy makers towards urban competitiveness enhancement for our cases, whose rationales may constitute lessons to other similar contexts.
Creation of an Australian knowledge town
Authors: Daffara Phillip
Published: May 2011

This chapter presents an Australian case study of the planning and implementation of a new university town (Circa, 1994). It aims to evaluate the effectiveness of normative urban/regional planning practice applied locally to create a regional knowledge hub. The evaluation process surveys key stakeholders’ perceptions about the town’s development using traditional methods (e.g.: SWOT) and alternative methods from the Futures Studies field (Causal Layered Analysis). The case study shows that a regional governance framework with collaborative partnerships focused on place management and infrastructure delivery is needed to realise Sippy Downs’ vision as a knowledge hub. It also demonstrates that a holistic policy framework for the town’s development is also needed to leverage the drivers of successful knowledge-based urban development.
Emerging role of ICT in the development of knowledge-based master planned communities
Authors: Bajracharya Bhishna , Allison Janelle
Published: May 2011

With the recent trends towards knowledge-based urban development and networked society, information and communications technologies have increasingly played important roles in the daily lives of people for social interaction, learning, information and recreation. This research is an exploratory study on how information and communications technologies have been adopted in master planned communities of South East Queensland, Australia. It examines the four roles of information and communications technologies in the master planned communities: (1) teleworking; (2) creating a sense of community; (3) promoting integrated office and businesses; and (4) developing learning communities. More recent master planned communities in South East Queensland such as Varsity Lakes, North Lakes and Greater Springfield have integrated information and communications technologies for activities such as community internet portals, local business development, and for use in community learning centers and education facilities. There is a potential to attract knowledge workers in master planned communities through the inclusion of cultural amenities, information and communications technologies and learning infrastructure. It is important that information and communications technologies and learning infrastructure not only benefit the housing estate but also the surrounding region thus putting a foundation for a knowledge-based urban region.
THE "THEORY OF INSTRUCTIONAL DIALOGUE"
Authors: Gorsky Paul , Avner  , Avner  , Caspi  , Caspi
Published: May 2011

This chapter presents a unified theory of instructional design in the cognitive domain; this includes, of course, online instructional modeling. The theory differs from specific instructional design theories in that it describes how all instructional systems operate (regardless of their goals) in terms of resources and dialogues common to all instructional systems; it predicts certain instructional outcomes (related to groups of learners, not to individual learners) based on given initial conditions. The theory affords practical and theoretical advantages. Practically, it (1) simply and accurately describes the mechanisms at play in instructional systems, (2) presents readily quantifiable operational definitions, (3) suggests hypotheses that may be evaluated empirically and (4) points the way toward optimizing instructional systems. Theoretically, it (1) subsumes all current theories of instructional design and (2) views campus-based, distance and online instructional systems as a single discipline.
A Pragmatic Framework for Promoting Interactivity in E-Learning
Authors: Wang Haomin
Published: May 2011

As e-learning keeps growing, an increasing amount of learning activities can be expected to take place through interactivity between learner and e-learning materials. To better understand the processes and qualities of interactivity in e-learning, the chapter proposes a framework for analyzing and promoting interactivity from an information processing perspective. The framework consists of the dimensions of accessibility, information attributes of multimedia, learner control versus system control, hypermedia navigation, and cognitive engagement.
Reference Services
Authors: Hanson Ardis
Published: May 2011

Geographers often define the spatial parameters of different environments by integrating diverse data sets with locational coordinates to create an attribute-rich digital geospatial dataset. From these datasets, researchers can observe and record phenomena and create new geographic metaphors in describing the geographic spaces of places, physical or virtual. One challenge for librarians is to be cognizant of not only the spatial extent of geospatial data, but to have the ability to interpret the socioeconomic milieu, which characterizes the attribute data and the environment in which it describes and to make it accessible for the user community. A second challenge is how to reinterpret traditional patron interactions in an increasingly online service environment and the best use of applications that must be used to “push” information to the patron. A third is how to market the library’s GIS services and resources to our patrons, both old and new.
LDL for collaborative activities
Authors: Ferraris Christine , Martel Christian , Vignollet Laurence
Published: May 2011

LDL (learning design language) is an educational modeling language which was conceived to model collaborative activities. It has roots in social sciences, mainly linguistics, sociology and ethnomethodology. It proposes seven concepts that allow instructional designers to build the model of a collaborative learning activity. It has both a visual and a textual notation, the latter being computer-readable. This means that the produced models can be easily operationalized and executed in an existing virtual learning environment. This chapter introduces LDL, its concepts and the graphical notations associated with each of them. The methodology proposed to facilitate the modeling is also presented. Its use is illustrated by the example of the planet game, which was practically tested with other research teams as a benchmark/competition during the ICALT 2006 conference.
Recording Lectures, Streaming, Downloading, Podcasting, Vodcasting, and Webcasting
Authors: Caladine Richard
Published: May 2011

There can be a range of reasons to record lectures or presentations, from the creation of resources to meeting the needs of distant students. Of course recordings are one-way. The information in them flows from the recorded file to students and student interaction with recordings is generally limited to interacting with the controls of the player, that is, they can pause, stop, and replay the recording in part or in its entirety. It can be argued that this interaction adds another level of access to educational presentations. While this low level of interaction can have positive educational outcomes it cannot be equated with interactions between students and teachers. Clearly the person-to-person interactions have the potential for far greater educational outcomes ranging from the answering of questions to the exploration and extension of the subject area. In cases where students are distant from teachers and interact with recorded resources other technologies and techniques are need to provide viable two-way communications channels between them. All learning technologies impose on teaching and learning activities and recordings of presentations are no exception. It is argued that recordings by themselves seldom, if ever, are sufficient for effective and efficient learning in higher education. However, it is suggested that recordings when used in conjunction with other learning technologies and techniques can be a fundamental part of the learning experience.
Teaching and Learning with Videoconference and Video Chat
Authors: Caladine Richard
Published: May 2011

In the last chapter, videoconference and video chat were defined as technologies that allow two-way video and audio communications between remote parties. Definitions of the technologies were provided and they were differentiated. Video chat was computer-based while videoconference was appliance-based. Functionally and for teaching and learning the technologies are very similar. The single greatest logistical difference is generally the number of participants possible at each location.
The Future of Rich Media, Learning Management Systems, and Content Management Systems
Authors: Caladine Richard
Published: May 2011

In a world of increasing bandwidth it is no surprise that the content of the Web is changing. A trend away from text richness towards media richness is evident. The rise and popularity of video sites such as YouTube and media–rich, social software are further examples of this trend and it is reasonable to expect a future that will be rich in online media. When rich media are integral components of online social and leisure experiences, it is reasonable that students will expect video and other examples of media richness in their online learning experiences rather than a preponderance of text as is the current experience in many institutions. Rich media have for years played the role of adjuncts to teaching and learning. For example, for many years assessment by video, in some classes, has been an option although one that has been slow to be adopted. Perhaps the time is now ripe for this and other online uses of video and audio as the tools for production are becoming simpler and cheaper. In the past, sharing video was limited to the physical distribution of the tape or disc. Today one preferred method of sharing of video is by uploading to purpose-built, public Web sites.
Desktop Publishing for Schools
Authors: Chen Irene , Thielemann Jane
Published: May 2011

The teacher demonstrates knowledge of the principles of typography and page design, and knows how to use technology tools to create desktop publishing products.
Central Ideas
Authors: Gudea Sorin Walter
Published: May 2011

In the previous chapters, teachers shared their experiences and feelings about online teaching; we have seen some of the perspectives related to online teaching and to teaching in general. Teachers talked about how the online environment affects them and their teaching style; about the tradeoffs they find; the issues associated with technology and teaching online; about the adjustments they feel they have to make; and about the benefits and the losses they notice as a result of their teaching online. Thus this chapter tries to put things in perspective and find out how, if at all, these stories intersect. The chapter also focuses on the central ideas that are related to technology and its use in the online classroom, ideas that have been derived from the interview data.
AI Techniques for Monitoring Student Learning Process
Authors: Camacho David , Ortigosa Álvaro , Pulido Estrella , R-Moreno María D.
Published: May 2011

The evolution of new information technologies has originated new possibilities to develop pedagogical methodologies that provide the necessary knowledge and skills in the higher education environment. These technologies are built around the use of Internet and other new technologies, such as virtual education, distance learning, and long-life learning. This chapter focuses on several traditional artificial intelligence (AI) techniques, such as automated planning and scheduling, and how they can be applied to pedagogical and educational environments. The chapter describes both the main issues related to AI techniques and e-learning technologies, and how long-life learning processes and problems can be represented and managed by using an AI-based approach.
E-Learning 2.0
Authors: Regueras Luisa M. , Verdú Elena , Pérez María A. , de Castro Juan Pablo , Verdú María J.
Published: May 2011

Nowadays, most of electronic applications, including e-learning, are based on the Internet and the Web. As the Web advances, applications should progress in accordance with it. People in the Internet world have started to talk about Web 2.0. This chapter discusses how the concepts of Web 2.0 can be transferred to e-learning. First, the new trends of the Web (Web 2.0) are introduced and the Web 2.0 technologies are reviewed. Then, it is analysed how Web 2.0 can be transferred and applied to the learning process, in terms of methodologies and tools, and taking into account different scenarios and roles. Next, some good practices and recommendations for E-Learning 2.0 are described. Finally, we present our opinion, conclusions, and proposals about the future trends driving the market.
Designing an Online Assessment in E-Learning
Authors: Conde María José Rodríguez
Published: May 2011

In this chapter we carry out analysis of the term “assessment,” applied over all the elements which constitute the environment of formation (evaluation), and also particularizing in the assessment of the learning process, developed in the frame of what we call e-learning. The perspective guiding text is of a methodological and pedagogical nature. We try to plan the assessment process in online formation environments dealing in depth with the different elements which constitute it: objectives and functions of assessment, assessment criteria and indicators, people involved and assessment agents, software instruments and tools for the collection of data, and analysis of the information and reports. We raise a discussion about institutional strategies for the incorporation of this e-assessment methodology in higher educational institutions and come to the final conclusions about the validity and appropriateness of the e-learning assessment processes.
Open and Distance Learning Tools and Strategies
Authors: Girona Cristina
Published: May 2011

There exists nowadays an enormous variety of models of e-leaning, from the technological, methodological and management perspective. At the university level, but also in company-training, in schools and formal education institutions, the different educational models appear, moving in a continuum from those who use technology as a complement or support to traditional attended sessions, to those that base the teaching and learning process in completely online environments. They try a variety of teaching methods while using differing degrees of virtualisation in the organisation (Bates, 2005). Years ago, when ICT in education started to be widely used, the success of the e-learning experience and the institutions themselves depended on their technological means; the platform was the most important of the model adopted by e-learning institutions. Initial efforts were put in market analysis aiming at finding out which was the best platform developed by ICT providers. Major investments in economical terms were dedicated to the acquisition of what was considered “the best” platform. Some years later, it was seen that institutions were different from the rest, and that not all educational platforms could cover all their needs. They realised that the success of their educational offer could not only be based on technology but in the learning materials provided. At that moment, the industry of online resources and hypermedia materials for educational uses grew up quickly. For some years, the success of e-learning mainly depended on the quality of the online materials provided, and that distinguish one institution from others.
Databases for Multiple Archaeological Excavations and Internet Applications
Authors: Karamalis Athanasios
Published: May 2011

The science of Archaeology has been in existence for a long time and the way an archaeological excavation is conducted hasn’t changed much. However, the way archaeological data is recorded has changed dramatically by the progress of technology and the widespread use of computers. Nowadays, almost any archaeological excavation uses databases to record not only the objects which have been found, but also the various data which come up during the excavation process (Lock, 2003).
The Use of Virtual Museums, Simulations, and Recreations as Educational Tools
Authors: Politis Dionysios , Marras Ionnis
Published: May 2011

The idea of creating a virtual museum is far from new. However, creating a museum that an archaeologist could customize to match his needs is quite innovative. Here we present a system which can be used for online visualization of museums. Although there are plenty of online virtual museums, none of them is customizable. These museums are designed statically and represent certain museums, which makes it rather difficult to change. On the contrary, our Dynamic Virtual Museum is easily managed through database entries, which provide all necessary variables (rooms, models, exhibits) and interact with the renderer through scripts. Therefore, the virtual museum can be easily transformed to match any given exhibition or a visitor’s specific choices. The system consists of two main elements, a database where all information about the exhibits, models, and so forth, is kept and a renderer which is responsible for graphically representing all this information on the computer screen.