Managing Knowledge to Enhance Learning

TL;DR

The paper discusses a collaborative semantic network approach to improve organization and sharing of learning materials in open and distance education, supported by examples and student evaluations.

Contribution

It introduces a new method for collaboratively organizing semantic content in learning environments, enhancing open learning and distance education.

Findings

Students positively evaluated the semantic network approach.

The approach facilitated better organization of learning materials.

Examples demonstrated practical implementation of the semantic networks.

Abstract

The article first summarizes reasons why current approaches supporting Open Learning and Distance Education need to be complemented by tools permitting lecturers, researchers and students to cooperatively organize the semantic content of Learning related materials (courses, discussions, etc.) into a fine-grained shared semantic network. This first part of the article also quickly describes the approach adopted to permit such a collaborative work. Then, examples of such semantic networks are presented. Finally, an evaluation of the approach by students is provided and analyzed.