Distance Education: MultiCom II and Multicommunity Maria De Marsico, Stefano Levialdi, Emanuele Panizzi Università di Roma La Sapienza Dipartimento di Informatica

Emanuele Panizzi Feb 12, 2004 Openday Dipartimento di informatica2 constructivistic vs objectivistic approach >constructivistic< student’s role: –from a passive to an active role –he chooses his preferred topics –links lectures/courses creating his own track –enhanched choice capabilities –sets his learning pace –cooperates with teacher and other students to reach the assigned cognitive goal

Emanuele Panizzi Feb 12, 2004 Openday Dipartimento di informatica3 constructivistic vs objectivistic approach >constructivistic< teacher’s role: –content expert prepares course material answers to questions, moderate forums –instructional designer drives student’s navigation in course material

Emanuele Panizzi Feb 12, 2004 Openday Dipartimento di informatica4 substitute vs integrate classroom integration of traditional lecture: –providing further material –links to external material –lesson preview –examples, exercises and self assessment tests virtual global education environment

Emanuele Panizzi Feb 12, 2004 Openday Dipartimento di informatica5 Multicom platform Multicom Server Multicom Client Multicommunity Portal INTERNET

Emanuele Panizzi Feb 12, 2004 Openday Dipartimento di informatica6 Server Architecture Java based XML repository MySQL DB XML communication with client Multicom Server XML repository MySQL DB to/from Multicom Client XML – TCP/IP

Emanuele Panizzi Feb 12, 2004 Openday Dipartimento di informatica7 Client Architecture Java based XML local repository XML communication with server XML local repository to/from Multicom Server XML-TCP/IP

Emanuele Panizzi Feb 12, 2004 Openday Dipartimento di informatica8 Multicommunity Architecture PHP server-side application fully object-oriented uses Plankton Web Application Framework fully integrated with Multicom Server –management of XML repository and MySQL DB Multicom Server XML repository MySQL DB Multicommunity PHP application Plankton WAF PHP engine Apache Browser HTTP

Emanuele Panizzi Feb 12, 2004 Openday Dipartimento di informatica9 Features (1/2) Courses tree Each course: –course material (any format) –course info –FAQ –chat room –notice board –forum Other features: –messages –teachers’ info –Multicom Client integrated browser

Emanuele Panizzi Feb 12, 2004 Openday Dipartimento di informatica10 Features (2/2) Management –teacher: upload and organize material –from Multicom Client and Multicommunity as well edit notice boards, open new chat rooms enable students to particular tasks –administrator functions Personalization –students can add their links to material

Emanuele Panizzi Feb 12, 2004 Openday Dipartimento di informatica11 Future development Integration of other tools developed: –authoring tool –assessment-test managing tool –annotation tool Remote application/simulation execution –under development in Multicommunity Multicommunity network LO catalog and ontology Field test during academic year 2003/2004

Emanuele Panizzi Feb 12, 2004 Openday Dipartimento di informatica12 Further info: