Abstract
The main issue addressed in this paper is how to improve the learning situation of self-directed learning in resource search and organization from the web. In this paper, we have firstly proposed a multi-layer map model that visualizes basic learning behaviors when using the web for locating and organizing learning resources. It provides learners with the structures of the found resources, the tools for their semantic management, and also a simplified method to share the resources via the map representation. A system based on the proposed model has also been developed, that enables individual learners to easily locate suitable learning resources from the web by referring resource maps and also to organize them as personal topic maps. As community-based learning, by referring to a community topic map which merges all the personal topic maps created by individual self-directed learners, the learners can share their own resources and select those of other learners into their learning topics. As a result, the learners re-organize their personal topic maps by taking the resources from the community topic maps and at the same time contribute to the community topic map through their personal topic maps. A case study conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the system showed several positive results which validated our proposal.
Highlights
In order to enrich one’s knowledge repository, people need to conduct self-directed learning constantly
System overview Based on the Multi-layer Map Model, we developed a pilot system (resource organization system (ROS)) using Microsoft.Net and Silverlight which visualized the basic learning behaviors when searching for information on the web
We evaluated the effectiveness of using ROS for the participants in their web-based self-directed learning combined with community-based learning
Summary
In order to enrich one’s knowledge repository, people need to conduct self-directed learning constantly. With the occurrence of the World-Wide Web, accessing to needed information has become easiest ever. It has been believed that the needed information can be accessed on the web conveniently. It has become possible to overcome the restrictions of time and space for self-directed learning which has been demonstrated to enhance the learning process (Thuering et al 1995), but often requires learners to navigate web resources to construct knowledge learned from the resources and to control the navigation and knowledge construction processes (Schnackenberg et al 1998; Kashihara and Hasegawa 2005; Hasegawa and Kashihara 2006). Web-based self-directed learning has become an important research area in the past decade.
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