Showing papers by "Riichiro Mizoguchi published in 2008"

Research Directions on Semantic Web and Education

Abstract: Educational systems are gradually incorporating semantic web technologies aiming to provide a more adaptable, personalized and intelligent learning environment. In fact, there is a signiucant interest within the AIED community about the evolution of e-learning in this direction. This is driven by the hope that the use of Semantic Web (SW) technologies in educational systems can help the accomplishment of AAAL: Anytime, Anywhere, Anybody Learning where most of the WWW resources are reusable learning objects supported by standard technologies and learning is facilitated by intelligent pedagogical agents. Motivated by this trend, our paper presents an overview of the ueld of the Semantic Web in Education considering some of the main research challenges, architecture and standards, and showing how the use of ontologies can enhance the potential for making AAAL really meaningful to the learners in the SW era.

Deep Semantic Mapping between Functional Taxonomies for Interoperable Semantic Search

Abstract: This paper discusses ontology mapping between two taxonomies of functions of artifacts for the engineering knowledge management The mapping is of two ways and has been manually established with deep semantic analysis based on a reference ontology of function for bridging the ontological gaps between the taxonomies We report on the successful results thanks to such deep analysis not at the lexical level but at the ontological level Using the mapping knowledge, we developed a semantic search system which can provide engineers with interoperable access to technical documents by searching for functional metadata based on either of functional taxonomies

Structurization of Learning/Instructional Design Knowledge for Theory-Aware Authoring Systems

Abstract: Currently, there are little guidelines on building quality standard-compliant learning courses. Although educational theories can be guidelines, there are difficulties in the practical use. An approach to the problem is to build a theory-aware and standard-compliant authoring system based on an ontology that establishes a multi-paradigm conceptual basis for learning/instructional theories. This paper discusses the feasibility of building such an ontology, as well as the functionality of a theory-aware authoring tool based on it.

Theory-Driven Group Formation through Ontologies

Abstract: Group formation plays a critical role in collaborative learning (CL). It affects the acceptance of group activities by learners and the success of the collaborative learning process. Nevertheless, proposing an effective and pedagogically sound group formation is a very complex issue due to the multiple factors that influence group arrangement. The main goal of this paper is to present an ontology that works as a framework based on learning theories that facilitates group formation and CL design. To validate the usefulness and effectiveness of this ontology we present a method to use it and the results of an experiment carried out with four instructors and twenty participants. The results suggest that our ontology can be used adequately and the concepts represented on it can positively affect the performance of individuals during group learning.

Understanding Semantic Web Applications

Abstract: Ten years have passed since the concept of the semantic web was proposed by Tim Berners-Lee. For these years, basic technologies for them such as RDF(S) and OWL were published. As a result, many systems using semantic technologies have been developed. Some of them are not prototype systems for researches but real systems for practical use. The authors analyzed semantic web applications published in the semantic web conferences (ISWC, ESWC, ASWC) and classified them based on ontological engineering. This paper is a review of application papers published in Semantic Web conferences. We discuss a trend and the future view of them using the results.

Adventures in the Boundary between Domain-Independent Ontologies and Domain Content for CSCL

Abstract: One of the main problems facing the development of ontology-aware authoring systems (OAS) is to link well-designed domain-independent knowledge (ontologies) with domain content Such a problem comes from the fact that all OAS developed to date require end-users (non-experts) to create their own domain ontologies to run the system in real scenarios In collaborative learning (CL), this problem hinders the development of OAS that aid the design of pedagogically sound CL sessions with strong technological support In this paper, we propose a framework that connects an ontology for CL (CL ontology) with domain content without the use of domain ontologies To check its usability, we present an example to model a geometry drawing course demonstrating that it is feasible to instantiate the CL ontology to represent a specific domain and connect it with adequate learning objects

Web 3.0 - Os Rumos da Web Semântica e da Web 2.0 nos Ambientes Educacionais

Abstract: Resumo: Com os grandes avancos da Internet duas linhas de pesquisa estao em crescente expansao. A primeira delas e a Web Semântica que desenvolve tecnologias que permitem ao computador compartilhar e manipular as informacoes contidas na Web de forma adequada e inteligente. E a segunda e a Web 2.0 onde os usuarios sao beneficiados por diversas ferramentas para compartilhar e construir “conhecimento” de forma simples, interativa e colaborativa. O objetivo deste trabalho e estimular as pesquisas nacionais nestas areas apresentando o estado da arte sobre o uso da Web Semântica e da Web 2.0 no cenario educacional e a recente intersecao destas tecnologias para promover a nova geracao de ambientes educacionais para Web 3.0. Abstract: With the great advances of Internet two fields of research are in increasing expansion. The first one is the Semantic Web which develops technologies that allows for computers to share and to manipulate the information on the Web in an appropriate and intelligent way. And the second one is the Web 2.0 where users can use several tools to share and to build “knowledge” in a simple, interactive and collaborative way. The main objective of this work is to stimulate the national research on these fields presenting the state of the art on the Semantic Web and Web 2.0 in educational contexts. Furthermore we will also present the recent research directions in which these two fields intersects to promote the new generation of educational environments for the Web 3.0.

Technical Knowledge Management Platform Based on Ontology Engineering and XML Technology

Abstract: We propose new knowledge management system, which is based on ontology engineering and XML technology, for manufacturing field. The purpose of this system is to support to externalize implicit functional knowledge of a product that a designer creates, to share the knowledge among those who are involved in the product development, and utilize the knowledge for any designer to collaboratively create or invent new products. It is true, however, there are not a few superior design tool such as CAD/CAE software, simulation tools, etc. Though such tools are indispensable to complete a product, they are insufficient to reveal design rational of a designer that indicates the reason why he/she adopted the function, the structure, materials, etc. Ontology engineering contributes to clarify design rational of any designer by describing a function decomposition tree (hereinafter FDT), which has the specific feature of separating function and way, that is a kind of tree to show functional structure based on device ontology and functional ontology. While the functional modeling framework is independent to any data representation infrastructure, XML has a synergy with the framework because of being able to handle semantics of the framework such as subject, object, function, etc. In addition to the semantic view point, XML also has flexibility to compound a document from multiple information fragments, so that it allows FDT to adapt to any application of manufacturing tasks. From those view point, we created OntoGear which is the foundation system that supports a designer or developer to author, share, and use FDT by using xfy technology that JustSystems, Corp. has developed as an XML application development framework.

Instance Management Problems in the Role Model of Hozo

Abstract: For knowledge (instances model) representation based on ontology and its use, it is desirable to understand phenomena in the target world as precisely as possible. The theory of ontology should reflect the understanding of them and provide a fundamental framework to manage the behavior of instances adequately. Hozo is known as an ontology-development tool with an ability to deal with roles and their instances. Although Hozo allows users to represent roles better than other existing tools, the underlying theoretical foundations are still unclear and there is some room for improvement concerning the generality of how to deal with instances of roles. Especially, establishment of the instance management method of role concept based on the ontological theory is an important subject. It is mainly concerned with handling of appearance and disappearance of role instances. This article discusses a refinement of role theory through investigation of problems such as distinction between constituent roles and general roles and what kind of constituent roles are needed in what situations are also discussed in detail.

Obstacles reveal the needs of mobile internet services-OOPS: ontology-based obstacle, prevention and solution modeling framework

Abstract: Growth in the mobile internet services industry has seen a marked increase in the number of mobile internet services provided, and this has made proper structuring and organization of the services difficult. Present methods of service provision have proven insufficient to guide users efficiently to the services they need. To solve this problem, a task-oriented menu, which enables users to search for services by what they want to do and not by category, has been proposed. Construction of the task-oriented menu is based on a task ontology modeling method which supports descriptions of user activities, such as task execution and defeating obstacles encountered during the task. This paper discusses a task ontology-based modeling method which supports descriptions of users' activities and related knowledge, such as how to solve problems that the users encounter and how to prevent or solve them on the spot. Models described by our method contribute to designing, testing, and improving mobile internet services.

An Ontology-based Framework and its Application to Effective Collaboration

Abstract: In the past few years Artificial Intelligence has been gradually introduced to enhance Education through technologies. However, usual approaches provide systems with a kind of expertise using a set of heuristics and domain theories built in the procedures. As a result they cannot justify their recommendations systematically and scientifically. To overcome such problems it is necessary to establish a common understanding of what a learning theory is and how to represent it adequately. In this work we present part of our ontological framework that allows for the partial representation of learning theories considering explicitness, formalism, concepts and vocabulary. Then, we propose sophisticated techniques to reasoning on these theories considering their semantics showing the use of this framework to build a system called CHOCOLATO to facilitate the effective design and analysis of collaborative learning activities.

Development of a Design Supporting System for Nano-Materials based on a Framework for Integrated Knowledge of Functioning-Manufacturing Process

Abstract: In the recent materials research, much work aims at realization of ``functional materials'' by changing structure and/or manufacturing process with nanotechnology. However, knowledge about the relationship among function, structure and manufacturing process is not well organized. So, material designers have to consider a lot of things at the same time. It would be very helpful for them to support their design process by a computer system. In this article, we discuss a conceptual design supporting system for nano-materials. Firstly, we consider a framework for representing functional structures and manufacturing processes of nano-materials with relationships among them. We expand our former framework for representing functional knowledge based on our investigation through discussion with experts of nano-materials. The extended framework has two features: 1) it represents functional structures and manufacturing processes comprehensively, 2) it expresses parameters of function and ways with their dependencies because they are important for material design. Next, we describe a conceptual design support system we developed based on the framework with its functionalities. Lastly, we evaluate the utility of our system in terms of functionality for design supports. For this purpose, we tried to represent two real examples of material design. And then we did an evaluation experiment on conceptual design of material using our system with the collaboration of domain experts.

Development of a Conceptual Map Generation Tool for Exploring Ontologies.

Abstract: This paper discusses a conceptual map generation tool for exploring ontologies. It extracts concepts from an ontology and visualizes them in a userfriendly form, i.e. conceptual map, in which the user is interested. It helps users to understand the extracted knowledge from the ontology, and contribute to integrated understanding of ontologies and domain dependent knowledge.

モバイルサービスのタスク指向型メニュー搭載を目指して : ユーザ行動モデル記述方式とその利用についての一考察( 日常生活行動コンピューティング)

Abstract: 日常生活行動のオントロジーに基づくユーザモデル構築方式を提案し，携帯電話を介して利用されるモバイルインターネットサービス利便性向上への提案方式適用について述べる．現状のドメイン指向型で分類されたメニュー階層の問題点を改善するために筆者らは，タスク指向型メニューを提案してきた．プロトタイプでは良い性能を示したタスク指向型メニューを実規模に拡張するには，モバイルユーザの日常行動をできるだけ一般性をもってモデル記述するためのスケーラブルな方式が必要であり，本研究ではモバイルユーザの行動に関するオントロジーを構築して利用する．構築したオントロジーと提案方式に関する評価実験を行い，提案方式がモバイルユーザの状況モデル記述を支援し，現状のモバイルサービスが想定する状況の大部分を記述する能力があることを確認できた．

Multi-entry system for supporting teachers in designing instruction

Abstract: As a result of the computerization of school education, teachers are faced with the design of new instruction problems which are different from usual instruction in the various points. The purpose of this study is to develop a system which can support teachers in the instructional design process flexibly and dynamically for their various requests. Main characteristics of this system are: 1) making use of ontology as a base, 2) facilitating teachers' instructional design process flexibly and 3) providing teachers with multiple entries to be supported by the system from various needs. For realization of these functions, this paper proposes FIMA (Flexible Instructional design support Multi-Agent system), which complies with the FIPA specifications. In this paper, we describe a structure of FIMA with its design rationale and its effectiveness.

Divergent exploration of an ontology

Abstract: This paper discusses an ontology exploration tool which allows the users to explore an ontology according to their own perspectives It extracts concepts from an ontology and visualizes them in a user-friendly form, ie conceptual map, in which the user is interested It helps users to understand the extracted knowledge from the ontology, and contribute to integrated understanding of ontologies and domain dependent knowledge

Tying Ontologies to Domain Contents for CSCL

Abstract: One of the main problems facing the development of ontology-aware authoring systems (OAS) is to link domain-independent knowledge (ontologies) with content of a specific domain In collaborative learning (CL), this problem hinders the development of OAS that aids the design of pedagogically sound CL sessions with strong technological support In this paper, we propose a framework to connect an ontology that represents CL explicitly with domain content without asking end-users to create their own ontologies from scratch