Ontology-based support for peer assessment in inquiry-based learning

Abstract

Ontologies have emerged as one of the most popular and widely accepted tools in Technology-Enhanced Learning TEL supporting knowledge representation and learning content creation. In this paper, we are interested in semantic web technologies and ontologies to deliver peer assessment as part of Inquiry Based Learning IBL environment. We focus in particular on Problem Based Learning PBL scenarios, which are often based on the use of social media, to enable collaboration and communication between learners. We aim to deliver formative peer assessment activities as part of PBL activities adapted to learner specific context, profile and progress in the learning process. Detailed scenarios descriptions are proposed and semantic models are specified to produce peer assessment activities. A heavyweight peer assessment ontology is described as part of an inquiry learning ontology and linked to other semantic models. A semantic web framework is finally proposed to integrate the defined semantic models.