Learning object farms supporting interactive learning activities in mathematics

Abstract

Learning Object Farms (LOF) use XML and MathML to offer homogenous mechanisms for heterogeneous technology transparent web-based on demand (re)creation of static, dynamical and/or interactive learning objects to be used in mathematics by teachers, tutors, students and learners. Numerous learning objects are easily (re)created, explored, used and terminated on the fly when needed, whereby the repositories store services and engines instead of predefined static learning object with proper metadata descriptions. The main components of LOF are: bottom layer with server based Computer Algebra Systems, an intermediate processing layer containing Servlets, WEB Forms as the graphical top layer. Standard mathematical and scientific notation is obtained in static, dynamical and interactive text based XHTML presentations. The issue addressed by LOF is not which particular technology to use, nor is it on how to integrate, use and re-use learning objects and metadata in teaching and learning. Rather the issue addressed by LOF is to trig reflective cognition in order to establish improvements in presentations, learning and understanding by generating a higher level of student's engagement and motivation, and how to dynamical update and personalize the teaching and learning process through appropriate learning activities utilizing digital blackboards. LOF might be easily included into LCMS and all types of state of the art audio-visual communication and collaboration services to be used in distance learning.