Modeling Constructivist Teaching Functionality and Structure in the KBS Hyperbook System

Abstract

The KBS Hyperbook System is a system which uses explicit conceptual models and meta data to structure and connect external data. When these external data are pages on the WWW, the corresponding conceptual model takes the role of an information index and determines the navigational structure between these pages (corresponding to one or more views on the external data). The conceptual model also serves as a schema for the integration of new pages (similar to the role of a database schema). In this paper we show how such a model can be used to support three main aspects of constructivist learning in a computer supported teaching environment, namely structural support for goal-oriented learning and projects,the integration of student projects into hyperbook based lecture material and the implementation of student annotations.