The Learning Grid Handbook: Concepts, Technologies and Applications

by Salerno, Saverio; Gaeta, Matteo; Ritrovato, Pierluigi; Capuano, Nicola; Orciuoli, Francesco

• ISBN13: 9781586038298
• ISBN10: 158603829X
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2008-05-15
• Publisher: Ios Pr Inc

Summary

Grid technologies are rising with the next generation of Internet by defining a powerful computing paradigm. Grid could be used as a technology 'glue' providing users with a uniform way to access resources by means of several devices. These technologies can provide a support for Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) by enabling new learning environments based on collaboration, real direct experience, personalization, ubiquity, accessibility and contextualization. Nevertheless, to be effectively used in TEL, Grid must be complemented with other elements like semantics and educational modeling; leading to the concept of 'Learning Grid' as defined in the homonymous Special Interest Group (SIG) of the European Network of Excellence 'Kaleidoscope: Shaping the Scientific Evolution of Technology Enhanced Learning'. The key challenge that Kaleidoscope is facing is the scientific and structural integration of the European TEL research. In this context, the Learning Grid SIG aims at contributing to the achievement of an improvement in TEL practices through the definition of open, distributed and pervasive environments for effective human learning taking into account that effective learning requires an active attitude of learners and that learning is a social and collaborative activity so requiring a technology that allows for active and realistic experiments, personalization, knowledge creation and evolution, as well as autonomous and dynamic creation of communities. The first section of the book is about the concept of Learning Grid and related technologies. The second chapter analyses and compares existing languages for the dynamic composition of distributed learning resources and services in aLearning Grid.

Table of Contents

Preface
Concept and Technologies
The Anatomy of the Learning Grid	p. 3
Educational Modelling and Service Composition on the Learning Grid	p. 21
Semantic Description and Matchmaking of Learning Grid Services	p. 39
Application Scenarios for a Learning Grid	p. 57
Applications
ELeGI: A European Grid Infrastructure for Formal Learning	p. 73
Gridcole, a Tailorable System for the Realization of Scripted Collaborative Learning Situations Using Grid Service-Based Tools	p. 93
Application Design of Learning Grid in Computer-Mediated Communication	p. 107
The Akogrimo Mobile Grid Framework as Enabling Technology for Next Generation eLearning Paradigms	p. 125
L4All, a Web-Service Based System for Lifelong Learners	p. 143
Personalisation Services for Self e-Learning Networks	p. 157
A Grid Approach to Efficiently Embed Information and Knowledge About Group Activity into Collaborative Learning Applications	p. 173
Grid-Based Interactive Virtual Scientific Experiments for Distributed Virtual Communities	p. 199
Educational Services in the ActiveMath Learning Environment	p. 219
Author Index	p. 245
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