LOCO-analyst: semantic web technologies in learning content usage analysis

This paper demonstrates how we use semantic web technologies to improve the state-of-the-art in e-learning environments and bridge the gap between students and learning-content authors/teachers. In particular, we use our Learning Object Context Ontology (LOCO) framework to formalise the notion of learning object context as a complex interplay of learning activities, learning objects and learners. In addition, we rely on semantic annotation for establishing semantic relations among diverse learning artefacts (e.g. lessons and chat messages). These technologies enabled us to implement a number of feedback types (identified by interviewing several web-oriented professional educators) for content authors and teachers to help them improve their online courses. The implemented feedback is integrated in a tool named LOCO-Analyst, which actually extends the well-known learning content packing tool Reload Editor. LOCO-Analyst is tested on the real data obtained from the iHelp Courses Learning Content Management System and is evaluated by several educational practitioners.