An Architecture for integrating Adaptive Hypermedia Services with Open Learning Environments

Abstract

Adaptive Hypermedia Systems are capable of delivering personalized learning content to learners across the WWW. Learning Environments provide interfaces and support services to aid tutors in course construction and aid learners in navigating those courses. However, most Learning Environments deliver content sourced from local repositories. This content tends not to offer adaptive features that Adaptive Hypermedia Systems are capable of delivering. Adaptive Hypermedia Systems, which are generally Web-based, could be viewed as personalized content services, with the capacity to deliver content to many Learning Environments. However, in order to co-ordinate the correct cooperation of the Adaptive Hypermedia Service and the Learning Environment knowledge and information models need to be exchanged, e.g. learner profile, assessment information, pedagogical constraints. There does not exist, however, a standardized mechanism for integrating Adaptive Hypermedia Services with Learning Environments. In this paper the requirements for the generic integration of Adaptive Hypermedia Services with Open Learning Environments is explored. The main aim of such integration should be to work within a framework that allows for minimal impact on current Adaptive Hypermedia Services and Learning Environment implementations, while allowing for maximum standards-based interworking. This paper proposes and architecture and interface to support the collaboration of Adaptive Hypermedia Service and Learning Environments.