International Conference on Hybrid Learning

Keynote Speech

Repository and Search Based on Distance Learning Standards

Prof. Timothy K. Shih

Dean of College of Computer Science

Asia University, Taiwan

Abstract

With the popularity of Internet technologies and the development of search engine, people request various kinds of information through Web-based services. In distance learning (or e-learning), SCORM (i.e., Sharable Content Object Reference Model) provides an efficient way for learning objects to be reused and shared. In order to meet a federated repository goal such that Learning Objects are found, the CORDRA (Content Object Repository Discovery and Registration/Resolution Architecture) provides a common architecture for discovering and sharing these Learning Objects. We follow SCORM and CORDRA specifications to develop a registry system, called MINE Registry, for storing and sharing Learning Objects. As a contribution, we proposed the concept of “Reusability Tree” to represent the relation among relevant Learning Objects. In this paper, we further make a deeper step to collect relevant information while utilizing Learning Objects, such as citations and time period persisted. Through theses information, we propose a mechanism to weight and rank Learning Objects. As a new contribution, we provide a mechanism and tool called “Search Guider” to assist users in finding relevant information based on individual requirements.

Biography

Dr. Shih is a professor and the Dean of College of Computer Science, Asia University, Taiwan. He is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology, UK. He is a senior member of ACM. As a senior member of IEEE, Dr. Shih joined the Educational Activities Board of the Computer Society. His current research interests include Multimedia Computing and DistanceLearning. Dr. Shih has edited many books and published over 430 papers and book chapters, as well as participated in many international academic activities, including the organization of more than 60 international conferences and several special issues of international journals. He was the founder and co-editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Distance Education Technologies, published by Idea Group Publishing, USA. Dr. Shih is an associate editor of the ACM Transactions on Internet Technology and an associate editor of the IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies. He was also an associate editor of the IEEE Transactions on Multimedia. Dr. Shih has received many research awards, including research awards from National Science Council of Taiwan, IIAS research award from Germany, HSSS award from Greece, Brandon Hall award from USA, and several best paper awards from international conferences. Dr. Shih has been invited to give more than 25 keynote speeches and plenary talks in international conferences, tutorials in IEEE ICME 2001/2006 and ACM Multimedia 2002/2007, and talks at international conferences and overseas research organizations.