Voice Interactive Classrooma service-oriented software architecture to enable cross-platform multi-channel access to Internet-based learning

Abstract

Software technology is creating a ubiquitous context for human living and learning in which new modes of interaction are gradually being incorporated. At the same time, interaction with Internet-based learning systems has evolved from using the traditional access from a personal computer or laptop?s web browser to more flexible access from mobile devices. However, in both cases, e-learning systems have created a context in which interaction with the user is carried out mainly by using visual perception. This situation restraints the number of scenarios in which students can make use of a learning management system. Audio-based software brings a new way of interacting with the Internet. Visual access to Internet resources can be complemented with audio interfaces to adapt e-learning systems to different educational settings and learning styles, but auditory access to web resources needs to be more broadly supported by software architectures. This dissertation proposes the use of a service-oriented approach, supported by the e-learning specifications IMS Abstract Framework and The Open Knowledge Initiative, to provide a complementary audio communication channel and enable the interoperability of audio features among the various e-learning platforms and components. In addition, the use of the W3C recommendations of VoiceXML, along with the methods and techniques of adaptive educational hypermedia, allows overcoming the limitations of using unusual or non-standard languages to describe voice dialogues and better adapt the on-line learning process to innovative e-learning scenarios. The components of this model have been mapped to a software architecture named �Voice Interactive Classroom� that serves as a starting point for the design of research case studies which aim to demonstrate the benefits of the proposed solution. The validation of this thesis has been achieved by setting up and following an active strategy for scientific outreach. Activities include planning, coordinating and supervising final year projects, master projects and master dissertations, presenting articles and communications in scientific meetings, and the publication of this research study in a prestigious scientific journal