Middleware for Integrating Faculty-Authored Learning

Tools with the CHEFSystem

Middleware for Integrating Faculty-Authored Learning

Tools with the CHEFSystem

Perry SamsonDept. Atmospheric, Oceanic & Space Sciences, University of Michigan

Terry WeymouthSchool of Information, University of Michigan

Eli NeiburgerEliWorks, Ann Arbor, MI

©2004 P. Samson - University of Michigan

Problem

What motivates faculty to embrace instructional technology?

If it’s not broke…

Wave of the future…

-10 -5 0 +5 +10

Entrepreneurial Faculty

Second-Wave Faculty

Source: Hagner (2000)

©2004 P. Samson - University of Michigan

Hypothesis

1. “Second-wave adopters” will more likely adopt techniques and tools based on successful peer implementations than institutional implementations.

2. The fastest route to second wave adoption may be to stimulate the entrepreneurial faculty.

©2004 P. Samson - University of Michigan

What I Wanted

1. To create computer-based homework tools.QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

©2004 P. Samson - University of Michigan

What I Wanted

1. To create computer-based homework tools.

2. To be able to have these activities gather information from my own server.

QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor

are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor

are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

©2004 P. Samson - University of Michigan

CHEF Example

©2004 P. Samson - University of Michigan

Learning Object Example

©2004 P. Samson - University of Michigan

Learning Object Example

©2004 P. Samson - University of Michigan

What I Wanted

1. To create computer-based homework tools.

2. To be able to have these activities gather information from my own server.

3. Have student results be input into the university’s course management system.

QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor

are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor

are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor

are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor

are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor

are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor

are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor

are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor

are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor

are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor

are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor

are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor

are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor

are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor

are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor

are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor

are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor

are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor

are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor

are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor

are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor

are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor

are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

©2004 P. Samson - University of Michigan

Open(?)-Source

Open Source ≠ Open Authoring

“Jetspeed is an Open Source implementation of an Enterprise Information Portal, using Java and XML. The data presented via Jetspeed is independent of content type. This means that content from for example XML,RSS or SMTP can be integrated with Jetspeed!

The actual presentation of the data is handled via ates (sic?) XSL and delivered to the user for example via the combination of Java Server Pages (JSPs) and HTML. Jetspeed provides support for templating and content publication frameworks such as Cocoon, WebMacro and Velocity. Note that outside of regular browser Jetspeed also supports WAP devices.

Jetspeed helps you build portal applications quickly!”

©2004 P. Samson - University of Michigan

CHEF

The CompreHensive collaborativE Framework (CHEF) initiative has as its goal, the development of a flexible environment for supporting distance learning and collaborative work, and doing research on distance learning and collaborative work.

http://chefproject.org/

©2004 P. Samson - University of Michigan

The Problem

Some, including “entrepreneur” faculty find university course management systems inaccessible.

©2004 P. Samson - University of Michigan

The Solution (it isn’t pretty)

1. Identify what you want.

2. Find a someone in the system who uses verbs.

3. Find resources to keep his/her interest.

©2004 P. Samson - University of Michigan

Conceptual Framework

XML/HTMLWeb Services

(OKI)

Flash Remoting

Web Services (OKI)

Web Services (OKI)

CHEF Front End

iframe Middleware(PHP/MySQL)

CHEFInnards

AlternativeDatabase

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iFrame

©2004 P. Samson - University of Michigan

Conceptual Framework

Post Assignment

Student authenticates in

CHEF environment and clicks on assignment

Request to middleware sends

user, class

Middleware retrieves

appropriate weather data for city to forecast,

stores this in middleware server

Student receives personalized FLASH environment with forecast data for

their city

Student makes forecast for their

city

Request to middleware

sends assignment

data Results sent to CHEF database

Successful submission

acknowledgedSuccessful submission

acknowledged

Request to middleware

server sends student user, class,city to

forecast

Professor/GSI requests list of

completed assignments

Professor/GSI evaluates

assignments returns individual/

group assessments

MIDDLEWARE DOMAINSTUDENT DOMAIN(FLASH)

CHEF DOMAIN

Professor authenticates in CHEF,assigns assignment

INSTRUCTOR DOMAIN(HTML)

Professor authenticates to

AssignmentMaker, authors question

©2004 P. Samson - University of Michigan

AssignmentMaker Example

©2004 P. Samson - University of Michigan

AssignmentMaker Example

©2004 P. Samson - University of Michigan

CHEF Example

©2004 P. Samson - University of Michigan

CHEF Example

©2004 P. Samson - University of Michigan

CHEF Example

©2004 P. Samson - University of Michigan

CHEF Example

©2004 P. Samson - University of Michigan

CHEF Example

©2004 P. Samson - University of Michigan

CHEF Example

©2004 P. Samson - University of Michigan

CHEF Example

©2004 P. Samson - University of Michigan

CHEF Example

©2004 P. Samson - University of Michigan

SousChef

XML/HTMLWeb Services

(OKI)

Flash Remoting

Web Services (OKI)

Web Services (OKI)

CHEF Front End

iframe Middleware(PHP/MySQL)

CHEFInnards

AlternativeDatabase

©2004 P. Samson - University of Michigan

Summary

1. Middleware has been produced that interfaces

Macromedia Flash® (and Director, HTML, and

others) with the CHEF system.

2. Ultimately this will evolve into a “component”

that any faculty (READ: their students) can use

to build learning objects.

3. The hope is this will open doors for other

faculty to author their ideas.