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MetaLearn research project

Full title: Methodologies, Architectures and Languages for the Creation of Adaptative Services for e-Learning.

The MetaLearn proyect (CICYT TIN2004-08367-C02-02) supposes a natural continuation of the <e-aula> project(CICYT 2001/1462). This project started in 2004 and the research and the funding are shared with the Univeristy of Vigo.

New information and communication technologies improve education providing several new features, like time independence or content adaptation. The success of this approach to learning makes web-based education or e-learning a generally accepted concept. E-learning proliferates, but course development costs are generally high. As a consequence, the trend is to develop interoperable e-learning solutions, that is, e-learning platforms able to exchange information and work cooperatively. Besides, a higher degree of content reuse is also desirable to decrease content development costs. Standards are being developed in practically all fields of e-learning to support these features.

However, in spite of technical advances, adaptability has not been conveniently addressed in available commercial systems. However, adaptability at all levels – pedagogical, knowledge delivery, technical – is becoming an important feature, due to the heterogeneity of users and learning sceneries.

This project is aimed to contribute to the adaptability of state-of-the-art e-learning solutions, providing the corresponding support for e-learning application development through methodologies, architectures and languages. Obviously, this support will be independent of the underlying infrastructure and network environment. Adapted services and contents will be provided transparently insofar the user’s network environment is concerned. Our proposals will likely have an impact in present-day and future e-learning standards. As a consequence, standardization-related aspects of adaptability in e-learning will also be addressed.