Educational Portals Fethi A. Inan The University of Memphis Erman Yukselturk Middle East Technical University MSERA 2004, Gatlinburg, TN, Nov , 2004

What is Portal ? “Sophisticated applications designed to give users simple, quick, secure access to relevant organizational and personal data. Combine these qualities with the provision for users to select and arrange their portal content in ways that make sense to them” (Zazelenchuk & Boling, 2003 )

Why portal is needed? Users expectations (timely access) Cost effective service delivery Teamwork and learning resource management Manage student progress Decrease administrative burden

Portal progression Gateway The means to enter or leave a place. Hub A place in the center, around which all revolves. Home-Base A place to which you return between destinations. Interactive Community A place you go to exchange information and ideas and to conduct transactions with others.

Types of portal Networking Portals Organizational Portals Resource-based Portals

Main Portals features Unity Security & Identity management Content / Resource management Personalization & Adaptation

What is Personalization (Adaptation) Adaptation is altering the presentation of the content, navigation and other characteristics of the hypermedia on the basis of a dynamic understanding of the individual learner

Adaptation Increase the interaction between users and material Decrease distractions from learning tasks Manage individual differences

Adaptive model : Steps Gathering: – Collecting student’s prior preferences, knowledge, skills and attitudes Monitoring: – Observing student sequences, interaction, errors, pace Inference: – Inferring what these collected data tell about other parameters Prediction: – Predicting learner’s knowledge and motivational step in the following learning tasks Adapting: – Making adjustments to the system based on collected and inferred data Updating: – Altering student model continuously according to collected and monitored data throughout the learning process

Adaptive Methods for portals Adaptive Content Adaptive Navigation and Orientation Adaptive Sequencing Adaptive Support Adaptive Interaction Adaptive Interface Adaptive User control

EP Components Usability & InterfaceEase of Use Aesthetics SecurityAuthentication Access Hosting PersonalizationInformation Push & pull Adaptation Communication & Interaction Chat and Message Boards Forums Multimedia Collaborative learning environment

EP Components Productivity ToolsSearch Engine Calendar & Scheduler To-Do List Address Book E-CommerceAdvertising Control Web-based Transactions Vendor SupportIntegration Implementation 24 x 7 Help Long Term Viability Technical support

EP Components AdministrationStaffing User Definition Information Channels Hardware Resource Requirements Pricing Online Help, Documentation & Training Smart Card Web Content Management Link to Existing Course Management System

Build or Buy ? Develop the portal in-house Purchase solution Purchase solution & Extend in-house

How to Choose a portal Security Curriculum Communication Planning Tools Anytime, Anywhere Assessment E-Commerce Compatibility