Abstract:

Intelligent systems for the classroom are nothing new. Despite all of the developments in this area, however, there is very little research into the use of semantic-web technologies for the implementation of smart systems for a school environment. The proposed system will provide a practical and automated location-awareness solution that can be used to provide real-time classroom services for students based on the semantic web. Locations are identified using an intuitive infrared location beacon system. Location beacons are strategically located in lecture halls, classrooms, laboratories, and any other location where students may be working. These beacons are simple microcontroller-based devices, and are designed to be easily installed and configured in existing classroom locations. The beacons continuously transmit an identification signal, unique to that location, which is received by a simple USB device on each student's portable computer. Ideally, computers anywhere within a given location can detect the beacon signal and determine its current logical location. Software reads this location information and uses this data, along with traditional 802.11 wireless networking, to connect to the Classroom Area Network, a subnet connecting the students and professors in a particular location. Using agent technology, information from each client is offered as a network resource. Class notes and support information is shared between the professor and the students. As a lesson progresses, the lecture notes and slides are shared with the students in class, and the lecture is synchronized amongst all of the systems. Students are able to leave questions and comments amongst the lecture information, which the professor can choose to answer immediately or when the lecture structure permits. Additionally, students can collaborate on lab experiments and other activities, and the collected data and findings are shared automatically between their systems. An agent-based architecture allows resources to be shared and allocated in an ad-hoc fashion, simplifying the co-operation and collaboration processes in the class. In addition to the Classroom Area Network, the system also communicates with a general school-wide server. Through this server, an ontology-driven knowledge base is able to analyse the student's course load and learning history. This information is used to infer relationships to other lessons and other courses, which are sent as recommendations and additional references to the process running on the student's computer. This information is combined with the current lecture information, and collaborative data, to provide a complete and comprehensive collection of support information to students during any lesson, all based on location and context information, with minimal input required from the students. By automating the classroom computing experience, the focus of the class can remain on the lesson material itself, providing a more productive learning environment.

Keywords:

context-awareness, classroom computing, infrared, p2p, collaboration.