Volume 5, Number 2, August 2007
Computing and Information Sciences is a peer reviewed journal that is committed to timely publication of original research, surveying and tutorial contributions on the analysis and development of computing and information science. The journal is designed mainly to serve researchers and developers, dealing with information and computing. Papers that can provide both theoretical analysis, along with carefully designed computational experiments, are particularly welcome. The journal is published 2-3 times per year with distribution to librarians, universities, research centers, researchers in computing, mathematics, and information science. The journal maintains strict refereeing procedures through its editorial policies in order to publish papers of only the highest quality. The refereeing is done by anonymous Reviewers. Often, reviews take four months to six months to obtain, occasionally longer, and it takes an additional several months for the publication process.
Paper 1: Detecting Differences in "Meaningful Learning" Behaviours and Their Evolution: ...
Detecting Differences in "Meaningful Learning" Behaviours and Their Evolution: A Data Driven Approcah
Silvia Rita Viola, Alberto Giretti and Tommaso Leo
Abstract: In this paper we investigate two different ways in which learners construct personal semantic maps, expressed by navigational behaviours. The first of them concerns the usage of hypermedia structures non-sequentially, i.e. without following a strict order within two nodes; the second one concerns the usage of glossaries and concepts maps. A data driven approach, described in the paper, is used. The dataset is made by 254 sessions realized by learners interacting with the WINDS Advanced Learning Environment. The results show that the differences in two behaviours are statistically significant ;that the usage of maps and glossaries is less frequent than the usage of hypertextual structure; that the usage of maps and glossaries is clustered above all around a single course; that when different from zero, the two behaviours have statistically significant opposite trends. We can conclude that the presence of two different behaviours of non sequential navigation in Electronic Learning Environments is likely, and that the corresponding strategies are likely to be learned. The results and the implications are analysed and discussed.
Paper 2: Web Services Based Authentication System for e-Learning
Web Services Based Authentication System for e-Learning
Akram Alkouz and Samir A. El-Seoud
Abstract:In Distance Learning end users need to access different e-learning platforms daily to gain the knowledge. E-learning platforms implement authentication system to handle the authentication and authorization processes. As the number of directory stores grows the development overhead of user’s authentication process in e-learning platforms against those directories increases. Also as the number of e-learning platforms grows, the number of user’s IDs and passwords users have to memorize grows as well. So users make passwords not strong enough to ease memorization, and write passwords in clear text in insecure places, which compromise the security. An outline of various aspects of design and implementation of web services based authentication system for e-learning platforms (WSAS) is presented in this paper. The architecture provides e-learning platforms users with a single sign-on solution for the problem of memorizing many user IDs and passwords, provides organizations with a centralized, simple, and efficient directory stores access mechanism to simplify the process of integrating multiple directory stores, and provides the e-learning platforms developers with a standard solution to minimize the development overhead of the authentication process against multiple directory stores, the presented prototype architecture designed based on the existing web services technology, so that clients need not be modified, and servers may have a little modifications.
Paper 3: An Inflected –Sensitive
Letter and Word Prediction System
An Inflected –Sensitive Letter and Word Prediction System
Carlo Aliprandi, Nicola Carmignani and Paolo Mancarella
Abstract: We present FastType, an innovative system for word and letter prediction for an inflected language, namely the Italian language. The system is based on combined statistical and lexical methods and it uses robust language resources. Word prediction is particularly useful to minimise keystrokes for users with special needs, and to reduce misspellings for users having limited Italian proficiency. Word prediction can be effectively used in language learning, by suggesting correct and well-formed words to non-native users. This is significant, and particularly difficult to cope with, for inflected languages such as Italian, where the correct word form depends on the context. After describing the system, we evaluate its performances and, besides the high Keystrokes Saving, we show that FastType outclasses typical word prediction limitations getting outstanding results even over a very large dictionary of words.
Paper 4: A DOM-Based Approach of Storage and Retrieval of XML Documents Using ...
A DOM-Based Approach of Storage and Retrieval of XML Documents Using Relational Database
Hossam
S. El-Sofany, Samir A. El-Seoud, F.F.M. Ghaleb, S. S. Daoud,
Abstract:
This
paper describes a novel approach of storage and retrieval of XML
documents using relational databases. In this approach, an XML document
is decomposed into nodes based on its tree structure, and stored into
relational tables according to the nodes types. Our approach enables us
to store XML documents using a fixed relational schema without any
information about XML schema, and DTD. For the processing of XML
documents, we propose two algorithms denoted by XR and RX, where the
first one is for converting XML data to relational data, and the second
one for extracting data from a database and insert it into XML document.
The application does not impose any extension of relational databases
for storage and retrieval of XML documents. We show the effectiveness of
this approach through several experiments using different XML documents.
Paper 5: Mobile eLearning Content on Demand
Mobile eLearning Content on Demand
Michael Engelhardt, Arne Hildebrand, Dagmar Lange, Thomas Schmidt and Mathias Werlitz
Abstract: Advanced mobile devices suitable for rich media content reception escort a strong majority of the people. Mobile information technologies today are pervasive and prevalent across most generations and countries and augur well for knowledge reception and learning processes within everyday life. In ubiquitously advising life long learning opportunities the paradigm of mobile users questions our common approaches of implementing teaching and learning: Mobile use patterns are short and fast, they frequently interrupt established contexts while nomadic users commonly are on edge with multiple activities taking place in parallel. Handheld devices in addition admit specific, non standard designs and are considered personal companions. In this paper we present an approach to dynamic, "on demand" production of content, which is personalized and specifically adapted to dedicated mobile devices. Starting from IEEE LOM eLearning Objects, i.e., small standardized self consistent knowledge entities; we process formats, appearance and contextual structures to transform re-usable content objects into the desired target context. Beside Web data for mobile browsers we will detail out an example of feeding the specific iPod potentials, i.e., its navigation, and a handheld Sony gaming station. All implementations are based on the educational content management system hylOs, which we will briefly introduce. Enabled through an advanced authoring toolset, hylOs allows defining contextual hyperlink overlays, as well as instructional overlays of a given eLearning object mesh. Based on a powerful Ontological Evaluation Layer, additional meaningful overlay relations between knowledge objects are derived autonomously within hylOs. These resulting semantic nets form a basis for perpetuating contexts, when mobile users re–access interrupted learning sessions.
Contacts
Editor-in-Chief
Prof. Jihad M. Alja'am
Department of Computer Science & Computer Engineering
Qatar University - College of Engineering
P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
Email: editor@ijcis.info
The
Journal Secretary
Eng. Dana Bandok
Ontario, Canada
Email: info@ijcis.info