Knowledge representation and Semantic Web

The ongoing goal of the Semantic Web is to allow computers to analyse and manipulate information in more sophisticated ways through the use of appropriate knowledge representation and reasoning mechanisms. Our research covers fundamental issues arising in logics and theories of cognition as well problems arising in practical systems. We seek to improve human-computer interaction through the development and evaluation of appropriate knowledge representation and reasoning techniques for specific contexts. Current research includes investigation of logics for reasoning with spatial and temporal information, use of ontologies for providing users with more effective ways of searching for information, representing and using knowledge about learners and learning objects, and representing and querying community knowledge.

Integrated Institutional Technologies for Learning, Teaching and Management Print
Monday, 14 September 2009

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Project Directors
Carey Jewitt
Neil Selwyn

Researchers
Christina Hadjithoma-Garstka

Project Details
Funded by BECTA, September 2009 to March 2010

Keywords
primary school, secondary schools, learning platform, virtual learning environment, school management, digital learning

This is a research study funded by Becta (the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency) looking at the use of learning platforms and associated technologies in primary and secondary schools in England.

Most schools now have extensive infrastructures of management information and learning technologies ñ including electronic registration systems, management information systems with timetabling modules and virtual learning environments. These are deployed separately, or increasingly integrated together in a single ëmanaged learning platformí. These learning platforms are used along with a range of other communications tools such as email, mobile technologies and SMS to aid the teaching, learning and management activities of schools. This project aims to review current use of learning platforms in UK primary and secondary schools, seeking to identify best practice and evidence of effective use.

The project is concentrating on learning platform use in six primary and six secondary schools in a range of different local authorities in England. It takes a mixed-method case study approach ñ involving in-depth individual interviews with senior staff; group interviews with parents, students and teachers; content analyses of online content; basic quantitative analyses of website traffic data; and observation of student ICT use. Fieldwork is taking place from October 2009 to January 2010, with a range of dissemination activities to policy and practitioner audiences at the beginning of 2010




 
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