This is the final report for the NESTA-funded phase of the ISOTOPE project, which ran from Januar... more This is the final report for the NESTA-funded phase of the ISOTOPE project, which ran from January 2007 to July 2009.
Abstract Increasingly heritage institutions are making digital artifacts available to the general... more Abstract Increasingly heritage institutions are making digital artifacts available to the general public and research groups to promote the active exploration of heritage and encourage visits to heritage sites. Stories, such as folklore and first person accounts form a useful and engaging heritage resource for this purpose. Story Fountain provides intelligent support for the exploration of digital stories.
Abstract: A number of technologies have been developed to support the museum visitor, with the ai... more Abstract: A number of technologies have been developed to support the museum visitor, with the aim of making their visit more educationally rewarding and/or entertaining. Examples include PDA-based personalized tour guides and virtual reality representations of cultural objects or scenes. Rather than supporting the actual visit, we decided to employ technology to support the post-visitor, that is, encourage follow-up activities among recent visitors to a museum.
Abstract Genetic Algorithms are robust search algorithms capable of finding multiple solutions to... more Abstract Genetic Algorithms are robust search algorithms capable of finding multiple solutions to complex problems. In order to ensure that the algorithm is working correctly it is necessary to examine the steps involved in its execution and the results produced at each stage. It is proposed that Software Visualization may be one technique that could support this task.
Abstract Information communication technologies (ICTs) enable the development of memories across ... more Abstract Information communication technologies (ICTs) enable the development of memories across a variety of communities. We identify a spectrum of deployment from private through to open public spaces. As we move along this spectrum key variables change including mechanisms of trust and accountability and the definition of ownership, authorship and readership. Some challenges however, remain constant such as designing for sustainability and the need to align research and community goals.
Abstract. Recently, there has been a growing interest in Exploratory Learning Environments (ELEs)... more Abstract. Recently, there has been a growing interest in Exploratory Learning Environments (ELEs) in which learning occurs through guided exploration and problem solving [1]. The characteristics of learning with ELEs can be seen to share a number of common issues with inquiry learning, in which students design and carry out investigations in order to acquire knowledge about the domain under investigation [2].
Abstract Evolutionary computing is the study of robust search algorithms based on the principles ... more Abstract Evolutionary computing is the study of robust search algorithms based on the principles of evolution. An evolutionary algorithm (EA) searches a problem space in order to find regions containing good solutions. Typically EA users judge the quality of their algorithms by the quality of the solutions found. This approach ignores the behavior of the search algorithm and concentrates solely on the outcome. As a result, the user is unaware of their algorithm's actions or how the solutions were discovered.
ABSTRACT Many communities exist that learn and share information either partly or wholly online. ... more ABSTRACT Many communities exist that learn and share information either partly or wholly online. These (wholly or partially) on-line communities share messages, documents, and other artefacts that contain useful community knowledge. Members of the community learn through this sharing process, and the growing archive they create forms a valuable learning resource for existing and new members of the community. Two main kinds of approach exist to support community members in accessing resources.
One of the benefits of mobile technologies is to combine 'the digital'(eg, data, information, phot... more One of the benefits of mobile technologies is to combine 'the digital'(eg, data, information, photos) with 'field'experiences in novel ways that are contextualized by people's current located activities. However, often cost, mobility disabilities and time exclude students from engaging in such peripatetic experiences. The Out There and In Here project, is exploring a combination of mobile and tabletop technologies in support for collaborative learning.
Background The Personal Inquiry (PI) project (http://www. pi-project. ac. uk/), currently being c... more Background The Personal Inquiry (PI) project (http://www. pi-project. ac. uk/), currently being conducted by the Open University and University of Nottingham, is designed to help school students learn the skills of evidence-based inquiry (Collins et al. 2008). Project partners include schools, museums, community education centres, field centres, and a sensor and data logging company.
Recently, there has been a great deal of interest in how new technologies can support the more ef... more Recently, there has been a great deal of interest in how new technologies can support the more effective use of online museum content. Two particularly relevant developments are exploratory search and semantic web technologies. Exploratory search tools support a more undirected and serendipitous interaction with the content. Semantic web technology, when applied in this context, allows the exploitation of metadata and ontologies to provide more intelligent support for user interaction.
Abstract The aim of this study was to explore the potential of photomarathons as a fun and engagi... more Abstract The aim of this study was to explore the potential of photomarathons as a fun and engaging way to support students making connections between what they learn during a museum visit and what they learn in school or other contexts. Sixty primary school pupils aged between six and eleven took part in a photomarathon activity during their trip to the Roman Baths. The children were split into three groups.
This work is part of a three year PhD project to examine how Software Visualization (SV) can be a... more This work is part of a three year PhD project to examine how Software Visualization (SV) can be applied to support the design and construction of Genetic Algorithms (GAs). A user survey carried out at the start of this project identified a set of key system features required by GA users. A visualization system embodying these features was then designed and a prototype built. This paper describes what genetic algorithms are and how they can be applied.
Abstract We aim to encourage and support public participation in heritage through the development... more Abstract We aim to encourage and support public participation in heritage through the development of Cultural Heritage Forums, a kind of cultural web portal that enables active participation of communities of interest in a way that complements rather than replaces visits to physical cultural institutions. The cultural heritage forum described here (Station X) is concerned with promoting an understanding of technology innovation in the areas of computing and cryptography.
Field-based activities are regarded as essential to the development of a range of professional an... more Field-based activities are regarded as essential to the development of a range of professional and personal skills within the geosciences. Students enjoy field activities, preferring these to learning with simulations (Spicer and Stratford 2001), and these improve deeper learning and understanding (Kern and Carpenter, 1984; Elkins and Elkins, 2007). However, some students find it difficult to access these field-based learning opportunities.
This paper describes an investigation into the use of a visual programming language to teach comp... more This paper describes an investigation into the use of a visual programming language to teach computer-based modelling to undergraduate cognitive psychology students. Four sets of evaluation studies were carried out. The findings of these theoretical and empirical evaluations are related to the design principles that informed the language and the context in which it was examined.
This paper describes a method for supporting the exploration of a collection of documents organiz... more This paper describes a method for supporting the exploration of a collection of documents organized as a hypertext by investigating relations between documents along user-specified paths. The approach is demonstrated on a corpus of stories about the World War Two activities of the British Government Code and Cypher School at Bletchley Park. Each story is described by one or more events and annotated in terms of domain ontologies.
Supporting learning across different contexts can be challenging. Defining formal, informal and n... more Supporting learning across different contexts can be challenging. Defining formal, informal and nonformal learning is the subject of continuing debate as each can be difficult to describe. We report on a study that evaluated the effectiveness of a Personal Inquiry toolkit on supporting personal inquiries into the sustainability of the food cycle, carried out across the contexts of home and an after school club in a UK secondary school.
Fieldwork is an important means of contextualising knowledge and developing subject-specific and ... more Fieldwork is an important means of contextualising knowledge and developing subject-specific and generic transferable skills. However, field locations are not always accessible. To address this problem we present a remote fieldwork approach that makes use of a portable wireless network and other mobile technologies to support fieldwork at a distance.
This is the final report for the NESTA-funded phase of the ISOTOPE project, which ran from Januar... more This is the final report for the NESTA-funded phase of the ISOTOPE project, which ran from January 2007 to July 2009.
Abstract Increasingly heritage institutions are making digital artifacts available to the general... more Abstract Increasingly heritage institutions are making digital artifacts available to the general public and research groups to promote the active exploration of heritage and encourage visits to heritage sites. Stories, such as folklore and first person accounts form a useful and engaging heritage resource for this purpose. Story Fountain provides intelligent support for the exploration of digital stories.
Abstract: A number of technologies have been developed to support the museum visitor, with the ai... more Abstract: A number of technologies have been developed to support the museum visitor, with the aim of making their visit more educationally rewarding and/or entertaining. Examples include PDA-based personalized tour guides and virtual reality representations of cultural objects or scenes. Rather than supporting the actual visit, we decided to employ technology to support the post-visitor, that is, encourage follow-up activities among recent visitors to a museum.
Abstract Genetic Algorithms are robust search algorithms capable of finding multiple solutions to... more Abstract Genetic Algorithms are robust search algorithms capable of finding multiple solutions to complex problems. In order to ensure that the algorithm is working correctly it is necessary to examine the steps involved in its execution and the results produced at each stage. It is proposed that Software Visualization may be one technique that could support this task.
Abstract Information communication technologies (ICTs) enable the development of memories across ... more Abstract Information communication technologies (ICTs) enable the development of memories across a variety of communities. We identify a spectrum of deployment from private through to open public spaces. As we move along this spectrum key variables change including mechanisms of trust and accountability and the definition of ownership, authorship and readership. Some challenges however, remain constant such as designing for sustainability and the need to align research and community goals.
Abstract. Recently, there has been a growing interest in Exploratory Learning Environments (ELEs)... more Abstract. Recently, there has been a growing interest in Exploratory Learning Environments (ELEs) in which learning occurs through guided exploration and problem solving [1]. The characteristics of learning with ELEs can be seen to share a number of common issues with inquiry learning, in which students design and carry out investigations in order to acquire knowledge about the domain under investigation [2].
Abstract Evolutionary computing is the study of robust search algorithms based on the principles ... more Abstract Evolutionary computing is the study of robust search algorithms based on the principles of evolution. An evolutionary algorithm (EA) searches a problem space in order to find regions containing good solutions. Typically EA users judge the quality of their algorithms by the quality of the solutions found. This approach ignores the behavior of the search algorithm and concentrates solely on the outcome. As a result, the user is unaware of their algorithm's actions or how the solutions were discovered.
ABSTRACT Many communities exist that learn and share information either partly or wholly online. ... more ABSTRACT Many communities exist that learn and share information either partly or wholly online. These (wholly or partially) on-line communities share messages, documents, and other artefacts that contain useful community knowledge. Members of the community learn through this sharing process, and the growing archive they create forms a valuable learning resource for existing and new members of the community. Two main kinds of approach exist to support community members in accessing resources.
One of the benefits of mobile technologies is to combine 'the digital'(eg, data, information, phot... more One of the benefits of mobile technologies is to combine 'the digital'(eg, data, information, photos) with 'field'experiences in novel ways that are contextualized by people's current located activities. However, often cost, mobility disabilities and time exclude students from engaging in such peripatetic experiences. The Out There and In Here project, is exploring a combination of mobile and tabletop technologies in support for collaborative learning.
Background The Personal Inquiry (PI) project (http://www. pi-project. ac. uk/), currently being c... more Background The Personal Inquiry (PI) project (http://www. pi-project. ac. uk/), currently being conducted by the Open University and University of Nottingham, is designed to help school students learn the skills of evidence-based inquiry (Collins et al. 2008). Project partners include schools, museums, community education centres, field centres, and a sensor and data logging company.
Recently, there has been a great deal of interest in how new technologies can support the more ef... more Recently, there has been a great deal of interest in how new technologies can support the more effective use of online museum content. Two particularly relevant developments are exploratory search and semantic web technologies. Exploratory search tools support a more undirected and serendipitous interaction with the content. Semantic web technology, when applied in this context, allows the exploitation of metadata and ontologies to provide more intelligent support for user interaction.
Abstract The aim of this study was to explore the potential of photomarathons as a fun and engagi... more Abstract The aim of this study was to explore the potential of photomarathons as a fun and engaging way to support students making connections between what they learn during a museum visit and what they learn in school or other contexts. Sixty primary school pupils aged between six and eleven took part in a photomarathon activity during their trip to the Roman Baths. The children were split into three groups.
This work is part of a three year PhD project to examine how Software Visualization (SV) can be a... more This work is part of a three year PhD project to examine how Software Visualization (SV) can be applied to support the design and construction of Genetic Algorithms (GAs). A user survey carried out at the start of this project identified a set of key system features required by GA users. A visualization system embodying these features was then designed and a prototype built. This paper describes what genetic algorithms are and how they can be applied.
Abstract We aim to encourage and support public participation in heritage through the development... more Abstract We aim to encourage and support public participation in heritage through the development of Cultural Heritage Forums, a kind of cultural web portal that enables active participation of communities of interest in a way that complements rather than replaces visits to physical cultural institutions. The cultural heritage forum described here (Station X) is concerned with promoting an understanding of technology innovation in the areas of computing and cryptography.
Field-based activities are regarded as essential to the development of a range of professional an... more Field-based activities are regarded as essential to the development of a range of professional and personal skills within the geosciences. Students enjoy field activities, preferring these to learning with simulations (Spicer and Stratford 2001), and these improve deeper learning and understanding (Kern and Carpenter, 1984; Elkins and Elkins, 2007). However, some students find it difficult to access these field-based learning opportunities.
This paper describes an investigation into the use of a visual programming language to teach comp... more This paper describes an investigation into the use of a visual programming language to teach computer-based modelling to undergraduate cognitive psychology students. Four sets of evaluation studies were carried out. The findings of these theoretical and empirical evaluations are related to the design principles that informed the language and the context in which it was examined.
This paper describes a method for supporting the exploration of a collection of documents organiz... more This paper describes a method for supporting the exploration of a collection of documents organized as a hypertext by investigating relations between documents along user-specified paths. The approach is demonstrated on a corpus of stories about the World War Two activities of the British Government Code and Cypher School at Bletchley Park. Each story is described by one or more events and annotated in terms of domain ontologies.
Supporting learning across different contexts can be challenging. Defining formal, informal and n... more Supporting learning across different contexts can be challenging. Defining formal, informal and nonformal learning is the subject of continuing debate as each can be difficult to describe. We report on a study that evaluated the effectiveness of a Personal Inquiry toolkit on supporting personal inquiries into the sustainability of the food cycle, carried out across the contexts of home and an after school club in a UK secondary school.
Fieldwork is an important means of contextualising knowledge and developing subject-specific and ... more Fieldwork is an important means of contextualising knowledge and developing subject-specific and generic transferable skills. However, field locations are not always accessible. To address this problem we present a remote fieldwork approach that makes use of a portable wireless network and other mobile technologies to support fieldwork at a distance.
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