Distance Education:
MultiCom II and
Multicommunity
Maria De Marsico,
Stefano Levialdi,
Emanuele Panizzi
Università di Roma La Sapienza
Dipartimento di Informatica
constructivistic vs
objectivistic approach
>constructivistic<
• student’s role:
–
–
–
–
–
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from a passive to an active role
he chooses his preferred topics
links lectures/courses creating his own track
enhanched choice capabilities
sets his learning pace
cooperates with teacher and other students to
reach the assigned cognitive goal
Emanuele Panizzi
Feb 12, 2004
Openday Dipartimento di informatica
2
constructivistic vs
objectivistic approach
>constructivistic<
• teacher’s role:
– content expert
• prepares course material
• answers to questions, moderate forums
– instructional designer
• drives student’s navigation in course material
Emanuele Panizzi
Feb 12, 2004
Openday Dipartimento di informatica
3
substitute vs integrate
classroom
• integration of traditional lecture:
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–
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providing further material
links to external material
lesson preview
examples, exercises and self assessment
tests
virtual global education environment
Emanuele Panizzi
Feb 12, 2004
Openday Dipartimento di informatica
4
Multicom platform
Multicom Client
Multicom Server
INTERNET
Emanuele Panizzi
Feb 12, 2004
Multicommunity Portal
Openday Dipartimento di informatica
5
Server Architecture
• Java based
• XML repository
• MySQL DB
• XML communication with client
Multicom Server
to/from Multicom Client
Emanuele Panizzi
Feb 12, 2004
XML – TCP/IP
XML repository
MySQL DB
Openday Dipartimento di informatica
6
Client Architecture
• Java based
• XML local repository
• XML communication with server
XML local repository
Emanuele Panizzi
Feb 12, 2004
XML-TCP/IP
Openday Dipartimento di informatica
to/from Multicom Server
7
Multicommunity
Architecture
•
•
•
•
PHP server-side application
fully object-oriented
uses Plankton Web Application Framework
fully integrated with Multicom Server
– management of XML repository and MySQL DB
Multicommunity
PHP application
Multicom Server
HTTP
Plankton WAF
Browser
Emanuele Panizzi
Feb 12, 2004
PHP engine
Apache
Openday Dipartimento di informatica
XML repository
MySQL DB
8
Features
(1/2)
• Courses tree
• Each course:
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course material (any format)
course info
FAQ
chat room
notice board
forum
• Other features:
– messages
– teachers’ info
– Multicom Client integrated browser
Emanuele Panizzi
Feb 12, 2004
Openday Dipartimento di informatica
9
Features
(2/2)
• Management
– teacher:
• upload and organize material
– from Multicom Client and Multicommunity as well
• edit notice boards, open new chat rooms
• enable students to particular tasks
– administrator functions
• Personalization
– students can add their links to material
Emanuele Panizzi
Feb 12, 2004
Openday Dipartimento di informatica
10
Future development
• Integration of other tools developed:
– authoring tool
– assessment-test managing tool
– annotation tool
• Remote application/simulation execution
– under development in Multicommunity
• Multicommunity network
• LO catalog and ontology
• Field test during academic year
2003/2004
Emanuele Panizzi
Feb 12, 2004
Openday Dipartimento di informatica
11
http://multicommunity.di.uniroma1.it
Further info:
• [email protected]
• [email protected]
• [email protected]
Emanuele Panizzi
Feb 12, 2004
Openday Dipartimento di informatica
12