The LOCO-Analyst tool

	Quick overview of the LOCO-Analyst tool
	LOCO-Analyst demo videos
	Download LOCO-Analyst source code

Quick overview of the LOCO-Analyst tool

... is based on the notion of Learning Object Context

The generation of feedback in LOCO-Analyst is based on analysis of the user tracking data. These analyses are based on the notion of Learning Object Context (LOC) which is about a student (or a group of students) interacting with a learning content by performing certain activity (e.g. reading, quizzing, chatting) with a particular purpose in mind. The purpose of LOC is to facilitate abstraction of relevant concepts from user-tracking data of various e-learning systems and tools.

... uses Semantic Web technologies

It is built on top of the LOCO (Learning Object Context Ontologies) ontological framework, which we developed to enable formal representation of the LOC data. Furthermore, it exploits semantic annotation to interrelate diverse learning artifacts such as lessons, tests, messages exchanged during online interactions. To semantically annotate learning artifacts (i.e., to annotate them with concepts of domain ontologies) we use the annotation facilities of the Knowledge & Information Management (KIM) platform.

... extends Reload Content Packaging Editor

LOCO-Analyst is implemented as an extension of Reload Content Packaging Editor, an open-source tool for creating courses compliant with the IMS Content Packaging (IMS CP) specification. By extending this tool with the functionalities of LOCO-Analyst, we have ensured that teachers effectively use the same tool for creating learning objects, receiving and viewing automatically generated feedback about their use, and modifying the learning objects accordingly.

... currently works with the iHelp Courses LCMS

LOCO-Analyst is tested with the user tracking data of the iHelp Courses, an open-source standards-compliant LCMS developed and deployed at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada. LOCO-Analyst transforms this user tracking data into ontological representation compliant with the ontologies of the LOCO framework.

... leverages students collaborative content annotation activities

LOCO-Analyst uses data about students' collaborative content annotation activities (highlighting, tagging and commenting of the course content) to provide teachers with enhanced feedback aimed at increasing their awareness in the students' way of thinking and comprehension of the course content.

... facilitates domain ontology maintenance and evolution

Data about students collaborative tagging of the course content are leveraged for facilitating the teachers' task of course (i.e. domain) ontology maintenance and evolution. This and the previous functionality are tested with interaction data originating from the integration of OATS (Open Annotation and Tagging System) into iHelp Courses LCMS.

Watch LOCO-Analyst Demo Videos

If, having read the text above, you became interested in LOCO-Analyst, watch our demo videos of the tool to become more familiar with its functionalities.

Download the Source Code

The source code of the LOCO-analyst tool is hosted at the SemWebCentral, and you can access and download it from here.

We have prepared Installation instructions to make your start with LOCO-Analyst quicker and easier.

Since LOCO-Analyst uses semantic annotation serivces of the KIM platform, we have also prepared some quick instructions on how to "prepare" KIM for the annotation of learning artifacts related to a specific subject domain (e.g., a specific course).