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A knowledge engineering approach to developing e‐libraries for mobile learning

Hui‐Chun Chu (Department of Information and Learning Technology, National University of Tainan, Tainan City, Taiwan)
Gwo‐Jen Hwang (Department of Information and Learning Technology, National University of Tainan, Tainan City, Taiwan)
Shu‐Xian Huang (Department of Information and Learning Technology, National University of Tainan, Tainan City, Taiwan)
Ting‐Ting Wu (Department of Information and Learning Technology, National University of Tainan, Tainan City, Taiwan)

The Electronic Library

ISSN: 0264-0473

Article publication date: 6 June 2008

2392

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an innovative approach that is proposed for developing e‐libraries with metadata to meet the need of training observation and classification skills in a mobile learning environment.

Design/methodology/approach

A knowledge engineering approach is proposed to assist teachers in defining metadata of e‐libraries to meet the need of training observation and classification skills. Based on the innovative approach, an e‐library of butterfly and ecology has been developed. Moreover, an experiment was conducted from March‐April 2007 on the science course “Butterfly and Ecology” at an elementary school in Taiwan. There were two teachers and 35 students participated in the experiment.

Findings

Experimental results showed that the e‐library developed with the innovative approach is able to effectively support the training of observation and classification skills for elementary school students.

Research limitations/implications

Currently, the innovative approach has only been applied to the training of observation and classification knowledge. Further studies will be needed to assist teachers in defining metadata of e‐libraries for other educational objectives, such as “analysis” (the ability to separate material or concepts into component parts so that its organizational structure may be understood), “synthesis” (the ability to put parts together to form a new whole) and “evaluation” (the ability to judge the value of material for a given purpose).

Originality/value

With the innovative approach, personalized supports can be provided as a guide for students' learning. Moreover, students are allowed to face the real objects with technology‐rich supports during the learning process.

Keywords

Citation

Chu, H., Hwang, G., Huang, S. and Wu, T. (2008), "A knowledge engineering approach to developing e‐libraries for mobile learning", The Electronic Library, Vol. 26 No. 3, pp. 303-317. https://doi.org/10.1108/02640470810879464

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2008, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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