Challenges and Benefits of the Semantic Web for User Modelling

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to discuss how distributed learner modelling can benefit from semantic web technologies and which challenges have to be solved in this new environment. Heterogeneity of personalization techniques and their needs raise the question whether we can agree on one common data model for user profiles, which supports these techniques. In this paper we discuss an approach where a learner model can be distributed and can reflect features taken from several standards for a learner modelling. These features can be combined according to the requirements of specific personalization techniques, which can be provided as personalization services in a P2P learning network. RDF and RDFS as key tools of the semantic web allow us to handle such situations. We also sketch an architecture for such a network, where this approach can be realized. 1.