Interactive Online Learning Support: Progress on Research to Date

Abstract

This paper reports on progress to date in relation to a long term research project underway at Curtin University of Technology. The project aims to devise tools that interactively support the cognitive learning processes of today's knowledge workers as exemplified by researchers, managers and students. The empowering tools alluded to here are not simply intended to manage, calculate, search, order and arrange search results as is often the case with current search systems. Instead, the project is concerned with applying semantic analysis techniques, specifically the normalised word vector (NWV) technology developed at Curtin to the construction of a range of 'intelligent' online cognitive support tools. The goal is to devise a system that enhances learners' cognitive functioning by augmenting the human intellect to achieve greater capacity to conceptualise and ultimately, construct new knowledge.