Virtual Apparatus Framework (Papers Section)

Available papers:

A model for Authoring Virtual Experiment for Web-based courses by Albert Ip and Ric Canale
This was the first paper which presented the concept of building web-based multimedia courseware using components. The ideas modelled around preparing a "wet" laboratory for a science course in web-based course delivery. The prototype demonstrated in this paper was based on Active X controls written in Visual Basic 5.
Presented at ASCILITE 96; Dec, 1996.
Supporting mainstream adoption of digital technology using the "Virtual Apparatus" Model for Courseware Development by Albert Ip and Ric Canale
This paper argued the benefit of "pick and mix" approach to creating courseware basing on the virtual apparatus framework and listed the requirements we imposed on ourselves when we designed the framework.
Distributed via Online Education Forum on 15th August 1997.
Enabling re-usability of courseware components with Web-based"Virtual apparatus" by Albert Ip, Ric Canale, Paul Fritze and Gangmeng Ji
By recognizing the need of specialisation in the roles played by different members in a courseware development team, continuous improvement of courseware, scalability issues and mass customisation, we argued that the virtual apparatus framework is a positive step towards a sustainable solution of digitisation of courses. This paper also provided a technical description of the framework specification.
Presented at ASCILITE 97; Dec. 1997.
Higher Education & Web-based Learning: Five Challengers and a Proposed Solution by Albert Ip
Five challenges facing higher education institutions with respect to web-based learning are: funding, competition, mass customization, revision costs, and incentives. This paper describes each of these challenges, and then examines how virtual apparatus framework may meet these challenges.
Distributed as Feature of the Week in Education Object Economy during 19 Nov, 1997.
Meeting the challenges with Web-based "Virtual apparatus" [.doc version] by Albert Ip, Ric Canale
Supporting Component-Based Courseware Development Using Virtual Apparatus Framework Script [.doc version] by Albert Ip, Paul Fritze
This paper reports on the latest development of the Virtual Apparatus (VA) framework, a contribution to efforts at the University of Melbourne (Australia) to mainstream content and pedagogical functions of curricula. The integration of the educational content and pedagogical functions of learning components using an XML compatible script, VAScript, is discussed. This approach facilitates component re-usability and administration and is based on a database model matched with an authoring system that hides the technical details while preserving the contribution of content experts to the courseware development. Topics discussed include: the VA concept; typical use scenarios, including the Learning Engine object model, National Asian Languages and Studies in Australian Schools Taskforce model, flexibility in adding data-logging functions as needed, and adaptive content delivery using a back-end database server; and technical specification of VAScript, including syntax, compulsory parameters supported by version 1.1 VA, compulsory behaviors supported by version 1.1 VA, and browser script for version 1.1
ED-MEDIA/ED-TELECOM 98 World Conference on Educational Multimedia and Hypermedia & World Conference on Educational Telecommunications. Proceedings (10th, Freiburg, Germany, June 20-25, 1998)
Keep the Web Server COOL: a proposal for server-side object development for on-line courses by Gangmeng Ji, Albert Ip, Ric Canale and Paul Fritze
This paper introduces a framework called the COOL framework for developing server-side software components or complete systems for online courses. The framework has been designed to eliminate the limitations facing the integration of commercial web-based course delivery software and in-house pedagogical innovations on the server end. With the adoption of the framework, complete server systems can allow third-party software components to be incorporated into and pedagogical innovations can be re-used to their full potential. The COOL framework provides a middle layer ¡¥wrapper¡¦ that exposes the server-side components as URLs, which can be accessible to any web delivery system. The framework is being adopted in a number of projects.
Presented at ASCILITE 98; Dec. 1998.
The Text Analysis Object (TAO): Engaging students in active learning on the Web by David M. Kennedy, Albert Ip, Norm Eizenberg and Craig Adams
This paper reports the results of a study of the design, development and formative evaluation of an innovative, interactive learning tool, which will be implemented into Web-based modules. The learning tool is an open-ended, short answer, text analysis object (TAO) designed to be used in Web-based courses or incorporated into hybrid Web/ CD-ROM systems. TAO facilitates the development of extended question-and-answer problems which overcome the limitations of the multiple-choice question format ¡V a format which can only represent one of the lecturer¡¦s understandings of the correct answer and a selection of her or his views on student alternative conceptions. Using the TAO, a student is required to generate a more meaningful answer by articulating her or his understanding rather than merely recognising the lecturer¡¦s representation. The TAO facilitates an iterative approach to developing student knowledge constructions of anatomy from a clinical perspective and provides feedback to student responses by using a key word and key phrase search mechanism.
Presented at ASCILITE 98; Dec. 1998.