AIMS: learning and teaching support for WWW-based education

Abstract

This paper addresses an innovative approach to learning and teaching support in respect of information handling and knowledge management within web-based learning environments, where learners perform open learning tasks. The approach involves integrated domain-oriented informational support for both learners and instructors. It has three significant aspects: 1, building a domain ontology (represented as a concept map) and using it for defining course structures; 2, powerful visualisation and graphical navigation of the subject domain and the information search results; and 3, adaptation to the individual information needs and preferences of the learners. A system prototype called AIMS exemplifies the main ideas of this approach. It represents a task-based information and performance support system with an underlying agent-oriented architecture. Several pilot experiments are being performed within web-based courses in Dutch and Belgian universities to evaluate the system.