IDEE 2012 Abstracts

Full Papers Short Papers
Full Papers
Paper Nr: 3
Title:

An Intelligent Grading System for e-Learning Environments
Authors:

Shehab A. Gamalel-Din
Abstract: Many educators believe that among effective learning methods are learning-by-explaining-experience and learning-by-correcting-mistakes through one-on-one interactions with students. It is not surprising, then, that an effective way of teaching is to give students immediate feedbacks on exercises and problems that they have just solved. Unfortunately, such one-on-one teaching scenarios are becoming increasingly difficult to arrange in e-learning, especially web-based learning, where the number of participating students is continuously increasing. Computerized empowered intelligent graders that provide students with comprehensive explanations on their mistakes and what a correct answer would be are of urgent need to overcome such difficulties. This research have introduced the new concept of Intelligent Grading Systems (IGS), designed a generic framework, and implemented Smart Grader (SG) – a simple proof of concept prototype. SG is assumed to either work as a separate grading tool or as an integrated component to e-Learning systems for grading programming and mathematics problems.
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Paper Nr: 4
Title:

Using Tablet PCs for the Design of Web Educational Environments
Authors:

Raquel Lacuesta, Guillermo Palacios, Sergio Albiol, Guillermo Azuara and Carlos Catalán
Abstract: Learning models based on competences facilitate the integration of students into the professional world, allowing further integration into the society, where learning is a necessity. The final aim deals with the topic “learning to learn”, as essential step for continuous learning (lifelong learning). In the project introduced in this work we have used the Problem Based Learning (PBL) methodology applied to the subject Human Computer Interaction (HCI). Students have designed, evaluated and implemented, computing interactive systems to be used by humans. To perform it, students have used Tablet PCs that contribute to do important changes at the classroom, reducing some of the problems associated with the traditional models of education centred on the teacher. Taking into account the enormous penetration rate of devices having touch-sensitive interfaces (smart phones, tablet PCs, home automation systems, remote control, etc ...), and the big perspectives of growth in the short and medium term the development of interfaces by means of touch devices, the use of Tablet PC have let students develop transversal competences using PBL methodology. The study has been centred on the analysis of Virtual educational environments.
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Paper Nr: 8
Title:

Educative Resource Patterns Presentation in a Model-based Instructional e-Learning System Design Environment
Authors:

Habib M. Fardoun, Abdulfattah S. Mashat and Daniyal M. Alghazzawi
Abstract: In this paper we discuss the resource patterns, its presentation and interaction in a model-based instructional e-Learning system development using eLearniXML notation. In order to achieve productivity and agility in instructional e-Learning system development the resources patterns are introduced. Also it is clarified how a presentation model is applied by using a set of interaction resource patterns elements. In this research work a catalogue of patterns is identified, documented and presented. These resource patterns are set of interaction elements, they are represented by using abstract interaction objects, and they are patterns because they appear again and again in instructional systems.
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Paper Nr: 9
Title:

A Framework to Develop Web Applications based on RFID Panels
Authors:

Habib M. Fardoun, Abdulrahman H. Altalhi, Pedro G. Villanueva, Ricardo Tesoriero and José A. Gallud
Abstract: The pervasiveness of the Web, and the emergence of new technologies such as the RFID, allow users to interact with the physical environment. This fact has caused the conception of new types of applications, for instance, the Web applications based on RFID panels that allow users to retrieve and store resources from and to the Web through RFID panels. The development of these applications is defined by three main concepts: the Tool that performs domain model functionality, the Command that represents an action to be performed by the tool, and finally, the Resource representing the result of the command on the tool. Thus, this work presents a framework that enables developers to model Web applications based on RFID panels in terms of these concepts.
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Paper Nr: 10
Title:

Coaching for Teachers: Applying Professional Solutions within the Educational Environments
Authors:

Habib M. Fardoun, Sebastián Romero López and Abdulfattah Mashat
Abstract: In a world in which one of the most used sentences is: "I have no time to do ..." Information Technologies play an important role in supporting our daily work including everyday educational settings. These technologies are responsible for making a complete educational system to function successfully. For this to prove, we present the “Coaching for Teacher” system. This system aims to provide solutions for difficulties that teachers face during the teaching/learning process via a personal technological conversational coach. The teacher can appeal and seek advice quickly using our tool, in real time, by comfortably taking to an agent. In this paper, we present the steps we followed to design and develop this agent-based application, and a case study conducted in an educational centre for proof of concept in a real and authentic educational environment.
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Paper Nr: 14
Title:

How to Define and Apply Mobile Personal Learning Environments
Authors:

Miguel Ángel Conde González, Francisco García Peñalvo, Marc Alier and Jordi Piguillem
Abstract: The application of ICT to learning, the 2.0 trends and the widespread of technologies such as the mobile devices make necessary to provide new solutions to satisfy learner necessities. Such solutions should take into account the students as the center of the learning process. They should be able to decide what tools they use to learn and the institution, independently of the context where learning activities are carried out, must consider what students do in such personal learning activities. In addition those environments should be accessible through mobile devices. During this paper a service-based approach to define mobile personal learning environments that allow communication with the institutional learning platforms, is described. Such approach is implemented and evaluated in order to show that such kind of mobile learning platform is possible, increase students’ motivation and help them to learn.
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Paper Nr: 15
Title:

Screening Program for Learning Difficulties in Arabic Speaking Students: Design Considerations for Educational Interfaces
Authors:

Areej Al-Wabil, Amandeep Dhir, Hessah Al-Musaaed and Maha Al-Sheaha
Abstract: The aim of this paper is to detail the creation process of a screening program for Learning Difficulties (LDs), with the goal of alleviating distractions in the interface while retaining essential elements for measuring cognitive abilities and behavioral responses. The program is designed to screen general populations of children ages between 4 and 9 years –with and without Learning Difficulties- and measures five cognitive abilities. Design considerations for accessibility and usability in each component are described. Particular emphasis in the design of this screening system is given to the cognitive effort involved in interacting with the forms, which are affected by the interface's complexity and the navigation structure (i.e. breadth and depth of the information architecture). The assumption was that focusing on designing interfaces that are intuitive and accessible for individuals with LDs would facilitate access to a wider population of children who do not have any LDs or have limited proficiency in interacting with computers because the program was intended for launching across the geographical region of Saudi Arabia, in metropolitan cities as well as rural areas.
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Paper Nr: 16
Title:

Examining the Educational User Interface, Technology and Pedagogy for Arabic Speaking Children in Kuwait
Authors:

Amandeep Dhir and Asmaa Alsumait
Abstract: Educational technology has revolutionized the traditional forms of classroom teaching and learning. Past few years have witnessed the emergence of the educational User Interface (UI) in the form of tablets, whiteboards, mobile and handheld devices for enhancing the classroom learning and instruction. Interaction design plays a pivotal role in improving the educational UI through a step-by-step approach. This process involves understanding needs and expec-tations of students, examining the fundamental theories governing potential im-plementations and performing design and evaluation. Existing literature on edu-cational UI and technology has revealed that its present research agenda is overly dominated by studies conducted in developed world. This has resulted in the poor understanding on educational technology need of Arabic speaking students for example. The aim of this paper is to present the recent emergence of educational technology by performing a thorough review of existing work in this emerging domain. This work also complements our ongoing work on developing appropriate educational UI and technology for Arabic speaking students in Kuwait.
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Paper Nr: 17
Title:

A Proposal of an Architecture for Educational Environments
Authors:

Juan Enrique Garrido, Victor M. R. Penichet and María D. Lozano
Abstract: Current technology allows educational environments to offer teachers and students the functionality and the information required at any time, whichever place and circumstance. Concretely, these environments mix three remarkable features: ubiquity, context-awareness and collaboration. In this way, the system to be deployed can avoid oversights when performing tasks. In addition, students can be motivated through technologies that they usually use in their daily life. In this paper, we present the definition of a system architecture, which is the first step to obtain the proposed environment. The architecture presents both a software architecture and a hardware architecture. The software architecture shows the layers in which the system distributes functionality and in-formation.The hardware architecture shows the hardware components to be used, such as smartphones, server, communication elements, etc.
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Paper Nr: 18
Title:

Stimulating Capabilities: A Proposal for Learning and Stimulation in Children with ADHD
Authors:

Elena de la Guía, María D. Lozano and Victor R. Penichet
Abstract: Children with ADHD (Attention Deficit Disorder and Hyperactivity) experience behavioral and learning problems at home, at school and a lack of self-control in their lives. We can take advantage of the evolution of new technologies to develop applications with the aim of enhancing and stimulating the learning process of children with ADHD. In addition these applications may help teachers and therapist to monitor and control the children improvements. In this paper we present a software system based on games to improve the memory and language abilities in children with ADHD. The collaborative games are developed in a Multi-Device Environment applying the Distributed User Interfaces (DUI) paradigm. The interaction with the system is very intuitive and simple. The user only has to bring physical objects, with RFID technology integrated inside closer to a mobile device. In this way children can play from anywhere in the room and interact with the games projected on the wall.
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Paper Nr: 21
Title:

An Integrative Approach to Diagram-based Collaborative Brainstorming: A Case Study
Authors:

Diogo Azevedo, Benjamim Fonseca, Stephan Lukosch, Hugo Paredes, Jordan Janeiro and Robert Owen Briggs
Abstract: The need for computer supported collaboration has grown over the last years and made collaboration an important factor within organizations. This trend has resulted in the development of a variety of tools and technologies to support he various forms of collaboration. Many collaborative processes, e.g. strategy building, scenario analysis, root cause analysis and requirements engineering, requires various collaboration support tools. Within these synchronous collaborative applications to create, evaluate, elaborate, discuss, and revise graphical models, e.g. data flow, fishbone and brainstorming diagrams, play an important role. Currently, the necessary tools are not integrated and flexible enough to support such processes. In this paper, we present a case study done to a synchronous collaborative brainstorming diagram editor - CLSD that is inte-grated in a flexible group support system. Our approach goes beyond the current state of the art as we can be seamlessly integrated with other collaboration support tools such as text-based brainstorming or voting.
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Short Papers
Paper Nr: 11
Title:

CSchool Interactive Design
Authors:

Habib M. Fardoun, Antonio Paules, Sebastián Romero López and Bassam Zafar
Abstract: The design of an educational system involves a good understanding of the whole school environment; in order to give the correct approach of how to develop a comprehensive educational system as the real educational needs for its operation. This article describes a design model of an educational system based on the teaching methods applied in the Spanish primary and Secondary schools, which takes into account the new advances in technology while preserving the current teaching method of classroom, to ensure a quality teaching/learning process. This development has been done by combining components such as, Cloud Computing and Web Services. The proposed system is based on a systematic approach, where different phases are implemented, containing workflows and stages.
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Paper Nr: 13
Title:

RFID based Devices for Educative Environments
Authors:

Ahmed Alzahrani, Vijey Thayananthan and Muhammad Shuaib Qureshi
Abstract: Educative environments such as universities and schools are involved with advancements of academic infrastructure using computer networks. RFID based devices are also used around and in the educative environments, for instance, library, car park, laboratory etc. However, there is a problem of organizing curricular activities and encouraging students’ learning capabilities with peaceful way. In this paper, we design a theoretical model of RFID based device, which helps to improve the curricular activities and students’ learning capabilities. When RFID based devices are installed around or in the educative environments, the class time will not be wasted at all because registrations of students are monitored automatically. Both teachers and students maintain their punctuality, which is the fundamental issue of increasing students’ activities and memory capacities. Learning attitudes depend on the students’ physical and mental fitness at the time. In this situation, RFID based prediction system can be used as new device, which monitors the students’ fitness and provides quick resolution to encourage the student to be a good listener or active participator in the class.
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Paper Nr: 19
Title:

Collaboration within Moodle: Sharing Documents in Real-time with Drag&Share
Authors:

Félix Albertos Marco, Victor M. R. Penichet and José A. Gallud
Abstract: Moodle provides with tools to perform collaborative tasks. On these tasks, students are able to share documents and information. But the means provided by Moodle are not enough to perform some collaborative tasks, such as share documents in real-time. In this scenario users must to be aware of what is going on the system effectively. We propose the use of Drag&Share within Moodle, a collaborative activity that allow users to share synchronously resources in real-time. Through this activity, teachers will be able to easily provide a shared workspace to students. There, students can share all kind of resources and be aware of what is going on the system, which are participating and what are they doing. All these features using standard technologies, such as HTML5.
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