Computer based Interaction Analysis

Computer based interaction analysis is an emerging field aiming at supporting directly or indirectly the participants in technology mediated activities. The automated analysis of participants’ interactions is taken into account in two main directions that are distinguished but also complementary ones.

- A first direction is that the system, based on the output of interactions analysis, takes into account the profiles and the cognitive processes of individuals or collaborating groups, in order to adapt the learning environments in their own needs and preferences, or even to provide appropriate messages guiding them. In this case, it is the system that makes the decisions.

- A second direction, a new one, is to provide directly to the participants information (usually visualized one) based on the automated interaction analysis, so as to selfregulate their decisions, actions and behaviors, supporting them in a level of awareness and metacognition. In this case, the locus of control is on the human actors’ side.

Concerning the participants in the technology mediated activities, they can be typically the teachers, moderators and students (in a wide variety of roles in the range of learning situations), or even the members of a working space, or a scientific network, respecting their various roles.

In LTEE laboratory, from 2000, we work on computer based Interaction Analysis (IA), supporting technology based learning activities participants selfregulation. During the last years, this research direction presents an impressively intensive growing, due to the needs that comes to cover, as well as its theoretical interest.

Up to the present, LTEE lab contribution concerns the following five areas:

  1. Foundations of the field
  2. IA Tools for teachers, moderating modeling activities (in stand alone and collaborative mode) with secondary education students.
  3. IA independent tool for forums (for all actors: teachers-moderators, students, etc)
  4. Awareness tool (SNA) usage in the frame of a web-based teachers’ community
  5. IA tools supporting the platform of scientific Network of Excellence (for all members)

 

(I) Foundations of the field:

Elaborating theoretical work on concepts, methods, research approaches and research directions, on computer based Interaction analysis, supporting participants in technology based learning activities for selfregulatory purposes.

Paper:

Dimitracopoulou A. (2008). Computer based Interaction Analysis Supporting Self-regulation: Achievements and Prospects of an Emerging Research Direction, In Kinshuk, M.Spector, D.Sampson, P. Isaias (Guest editors). Technology, Instruction, Cognition and Learning (TICL). (EN)

Dimitracopoulou A. (2008). Analyse Automatique des Interactions pour le soutien à l’auto-régulation des participants dans des activités médiées, In Eds. A. Mille et J.-C. Marty, Observer Pour Personnaliser les Environnements Informatiques pour l’Apprentissage Humain, Editions Hermes (FR)

Dimitracopoulou A. & Bruillard E. (2006). Interfaces de Forum enrichies par la visualization d’analyses automatiques des interactions et du contenu, (Guest Editors) E.Bruillard & M.Sidir. EducativesRevue STICEF (Sciences et Technologies de l’Information et de la Communication pour l’Education et la Formation). Vol. 13. (FR)
http://sticef.univ-lemans.fr/classement/encours.htm

Giannaki E. & Dimitracopoulou A. (2008). Metacognition and optical design, In V. Komis (Ed). Proceedings of 4rth Hellenic Conference on Computer Sciences Education. 28-30 March, 2008, Univ. of Patras, Greece. (GR)

State of the Art Reports: They were prepared in the frame of projects IA [http://www.rhodes.aegean.gr/ltee/kaleidoscope-IA] and ICALTS JEIRPS [http://www.rhodes.aegean.gr/LTEE/KALEIDOSCOPE-ICALTS] in the frame of Kaleidoscope NoE, that I was leading (2004 & 2005). There are a number of interesting reports, among them the following:

Dimitracopoulou A. et al. (2005). State of the art of interaction analysis for Metacognitive Support & Diagnosis. Interaction Analaysis (IA) JEIRP Deliverable D.31.1.1. Kaleidoscope NoE, (IST, e-learning) December 2005. pp. 119. Available online at: http://telearn.noe-kaleidoscope.org

Hulshof P. & Dimitracopoulou A. (2005). Synthesis and Research Agenda on Computer Based Interaction Analysis. Interaction Analysis (IA) JEIRP Deliverable D.31.1.3. Kaleidoscope NoE, December 2005. pp. 109. Available online at: http://telearn.noe-kaleidoscope.org

Dimitracopoulou A. et al. (2004). State of the art of interaction Analysis: Interaction Analysis Indicators. Interaction and Collaboration Analaysis supporting Teachers’ and Students’ Selfregulation (ICALTS) JEIRP Deliverable D.26.1.1. Kaleidoscope NoE, December 2004. pp. 153. Available online at:
http://telearn.noe-kaleidoscope.org

Jermann P. & Dimitracopoulou A. (2004). Future Research Directions on Interaction Analysis Indicators. Interaction and Collaboration Analysis supporting Teachers’ and Students’ Selfregulation (ICALTS) JEIRP Deliverable D.26.1.3. Kaleidoscope NoE, December 2004. pp. 22. Available online at: http://telearn.noe-kaleidoscope.org

Invited talks:

Dimitracopoulou A. (2007). Computer based Interaction Analysis supporting Self-regulation: achievements and prospects of an emerging research field. CELDA 2007. Cognition and Exploratory Learning in Digital Age. IADIS International Congress. 7-9 December 2007, Algavre Portugal. http://www.celda-conf.org

Dimitracopoulou A. (2007). Don’t forget the human actors: The need of Tools and Services supporting individuals, groups, communities. Invited Talk-Opening Session, 4th Educational Symposium, Designing the School of Tomorrow, Athens, Greece, November 9-10, 2007, Ellinogermaniki Agogi, Pallini, Attikis, http://www.schooloftomorrow.gr. Read Abstract

Dimitracopoulou A. (2007). The field of Computer Supported Interaction Analysis supporting selfregulation of activities’ participants. Summer School on: Personnalisation des environnements informatiques pour l’apprentissage humain. 7-12 Juillet 2007, Grenoble-Charmeil (Saint-Quentin sur Isère), France. Video at: http://www.telearn.org/open-archive/browse?resource=1137_v1

Dimitracopoulou A. (2007). Computer based Interaction Analysis supporting Self-regulation: an emerging research field. The 11th International Conference on User Modeling, Workshop on Personalisation in e-learning environments at individual and group level, Corfu, Greece, 25-29 June, 2007. Read Summary

Dimitracopoulou A. (2005). Vers des outils d’Analyse des Interactions pour l’Assistance Metacognitive des Participants aux Forums de Discussion. Symfonic Symposium: “Forum et communautés d’enseignants et d’apprentissage”, Amiens, France, Jan. 2005, Organisers: E.Bruillard, G.-L.Baron, M.Sidir.

Workshops Organisation:

Bruillard E., Dimitracopoulou A., Reimann P. (2009). Interaction Analysis and Visualization: Analysis’ Methods, Tools and Research Questions - Focusing on Asynchronous Discussion Forums, lists, blogs- Workshop organisation, June 8th, 2009, in the frame of CSCL2009 conference, 7-13 June, 2009, Rhodes, Greece. [http://www.ltee.org/IA_WS_CSCL2009]

Dimitracopoulou A., Merceron, A., Schoonenboom, J., Dimitriadis, Y. (2007). Computer Based Interaction Analysis Supporting Participants of Technology Mediated Activities: Achievements and Prospects. in the frame of ‘Symposium 2007 Kaleidoscope’: Defining the Scientific Evolution of Technology Enhanced Learning”, Berlin, 26-27 November 2007. [http://www.ltee.gr/IA_Kaleidoscope_Symposium]

Dimitracopoulou A., Dillenbourg P., Hoppe U. (2004). Interaction analysis supporting participants during technology –based collaborative activities: Workshop summary, Computer Supported Collaborative Learning SIG European Symposium, Lausanne, 7-9 October, 2004. [http://cscl-sig.intermedia.uib.no/lausannesymposium]

Dimitracopoulou A., Vosniadou S., Gregoriadou M, Avouris N., Kollias V., Gogoulou L., Fessakis G., Bratitsis Th. (2006). The field of computer based interaction Analysis for the support of participants regulation in social technology based learning environments. State of the art and perspectives. In D. Psillos & V. Dagdidelis (Editors) 5th Hellenic Congress with International Participation: Information and Communication Technologies in Education. HICTE, Thessaloniki, Oct, 2006, pp. 997-1000. (GR)

 

(II) IA Tools for teachers, moderating modeling activities (in stand alone and collaborative mode) with secondary education students:

The IA tools was included in the “Activity Analysis” component of MODELLINGSPACE©, while we have used the complementary simple CAF tool (IA tool) that we had developed.

Petrou-Bakiri A.(2005). Teachers’ roles and strategies during usage of technology based collaborative learning environments, in real school conditions, PhD, School of Humanities, University of the Aegean, Rhodes, Greece, (GR).

Petrou A. & Dimitracopoulou A. (2003). Is synchronous computer mediated collaborative problem solving ‘justified’ only when by distance? Teachers’ point of views and interventions with co-located groups during every day class activities. In (Eds) B. Wasson, S. Ludvigsen & U. Hoppe, Computer Support for Collaborative Learning: Designing for Change in Networked Learning Environments, CSCL 2003 congress: 14-18 June 2003, Bergen, Norway, Kluwer Academic Publishers, pp. 441-450.

Fessakis G., Petrou A. & Dimitracopoulou A. (2004). Collaboration Activity Function: An interaction analysis’ tool for Computer Supported Collaborative Learning activities. In Kinshuk et al (Eds) Proceedings of 4th IEEE International Conference on Advanced Learning Technologies (ICALT 2004), August 30 - Sept 1, 2004, Joensuu, Finland, IEEE Computer Society Editions, pp. 196-201.

 

(III) Interaction Analysis independent tool for Forums:

The DIAS tool©, is an independent and customisable tool, for interaction analysis in forums. It contains more than 60 indicators. Sets of them are appropriate for teachers- moderators, while others are appropriate for students participating in the forum. It can also be used by researchers. It was validated in the context of learning activities in higher education (University students).

Bratitsis T., Dimitracopoulou A. (2008). Interaction Analysis as a multi-support approach of social computing for learning, in the “Collaborative Era”: Lessons learned by using the DIAS system. In P. Diaz, Kinshuk, I. Aedo, E. Mora (eds) the 8th IEEE International Conference on Advanced Learning Technologies (ICALT 2008), IEEE Computer Society, 536-538.

Bratitsis T. (2007). Development of flexible supporting tools for asynchronous discussions, by analyzing interactions among participants, for technology supported learning, PhD, School of Humanities, University of the Aegean, Rhodes, Greece, (GR).

Bratitsis T. & Dimitracopoulou A. (2008). Interpretation Issues in Monitoring and Analyzing Group Interactions in Asynchronous Discussions, Special Issue, International Journal of e-Collaboration ( IJeC). (EN)

Bratitsis T. & Dimitracopoulou A. (2007). Ιnteractions Analysis in asynchronous discussions: Lessons learned on the learners perspective, using the DIAS system. International Congress, Computer Supported Collaborative Learning, CSCL 2007, Mice, Minds and Society, July 21-26, 2007, New Jersey, USA.

Bratitsis T. & Dimitracopoulou A. (2007). Collecting and Analyzing Interaction Data in Computer-Based Group Learning Discussions: An overview. Workshop on Personalisation in e-Learning Environments at Individual and Group Level (PING), 11th International Conference on User Modeling, June 2007, Corfu, Greece.

Bratitsis T. & Dimitracopoulou A. (2006). Indicators for measuring quality in asynchronous discussion forums. International Conference on Cognition and Exploratory Learning in Digital Era (CELDA2006), IADIS (International Association for Development of the Information Society] 8-10 December, 2006, Barcelona, Spain.

Bratitsis T. & Dimitracopoulou A. (2006). Automated interaction analysis in asynchronous discussions: Indicators and their effects in the participation of forum members. In D. Psillos & V. Dagdidelis (Editors) 5th Hellenic Congress with International Participation: Information and Communication Technologies in Education. HICTE, Thessaloniki, Oct, 2006, pp. 243-251 (GR)

Bratitsis T. & Dimitracopoulou A. (2006). Monitoring and Analysing Group Interactions in asynchronous discussions with the DIAS system. In (Eds) Y. Dimitriadis, I. Zigurs & E. Gomez-Sanchez.CRIWG 2006, 12th International Workshop on Groupware, GRIWG2006, Groupware: Design, Implementation and Use, 17-21 Sept. 2006, Medina Del Campo, Spain Ed. Springer, LNCS 4154, pp. 54-61

Bratitsis, T. & Dimitracopoulou A. (2005). Data Recording and Usage Interaction Analysis in Asynchronous Discussions: The D.I.A.S. System. In (Eds) C. Choquet, V. Luengo, A. Merceron. Workshop on Usage Analysis in Learning Systems, The 12th International Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Education AIED, Amsterdam. [http://lium-dpuls.iut-laval.univ-lemans.fr/aied-ws/] last retrieved May 2006.

 

(IV) Usage of SNAs (Social Network Analysis diagrams) as awareness tools in the frame of web-based teachers’ community:

Hlapanis G. & Dimitracopoulou A. (in press 2007). A School-Teachers’ Learning Community: Matters of Communication Analysis. (Guest Editors) P. Kirschner & K.-W. Lai, Special Issue on Online Communities of Practice in Education, Journal of Technology, Pedagogy, and Education, Volume 16, Issue 1. (EN)

Hlapanis G.-H. (2006). Creating Learning Communities by using Communication Technologies: The Case Study of a Distance Learning Educational program, concerning further Training of Teachers in the use of Information and Communication Technology in Education, PhD, School of Humanities, University of the Aegean, Rhodes, Greece, (GR).

 

(V) IA tools supporting the platform of scientific Network of Excellence:

It consist of the IA tools and IA services that were developed and tested [http://ia.noe-kaleidoscope.org], for the Communication and Collaboration Infrastructure (CCI) of Kaleidoscope Network of Excellence [http://www.noe-kaleidoscope.org/]. There were defined and developed different sets of Interaction Analysis Indicators, appropriate for different members- actors of a scientific network, assuming different roles. There are a number of related reports:

Bratitsis T., Dimitracopoulou A., Martínez-Monés A., Marcos J.A., Dimitriadis Y. (2008). Supporting members of a learning community using Interaction Analysis tools: The example of the Kaleidoscope NoE scientific network. In P. Diaz, Kinshuk, I. Aedo, E. Mora (eds) the 8th IEEE International Conference on Advanced Learning Technologies (ICALT 2008), IEEE Computer Society, 809-813.

Bratitisis A., Martinez A., Dimitracopoulou A., Dimitriadis Y., G., Carretero S. (2007). Final Report on Implemented CCI IA Support, January Del.34.4.6. pp. 45. Available online at: http://telearn.noe-kaleidoscope.org/

Bratitsis A., Dimitracopoulou A., Dimitriadis Y., Marcos J.A., Yágüez G., Carretero S. (2006). Design and Development of Interaction Analysis of a Network of Excellence Common Collaborative Infrastructure. D34.4.3, October 2006, pp. 48. Available online at: http://telearn.noe-kaleidoscope.org/

Bratitisis A., Dimitracopoulou A., Dimitriadis Y., Marcos J.A., Yágüez G., Carretero S. et al. (2007). Interaction Analysis Tools Test and Interaction Analysis Services. D. 34.4.4., January 2007. pp. 70. Available online at:
http://telearn.noe-kaleidoscope.org/