Abstract: A computer system for identifying information related to a context includes a context gathering service configured to receive context deltas from a runtime and to identify a current context state. A context delta describes a change from a previous context state to the current context state. The computer system also includes a semantic model with elements and attributes, wherein an element represents one or more context states and an attribute is assigned to the element. The computer system further includes a rule interpreter configured to map the current context state to a current element and a recommender service configured to identify information related to the context in a knowledge source. The recommender service is identified by one or more attributes at least one of which is assigned to the current element.

Abstract: Information is visually presented to a computer user by receiving, in a computer system, a request to present a first visual item representing a first information portion selected from an information collection available in the computer system. It is determined, in response to the request: (i) which of several predefined categories the first information portion is associated with, and (ii) which of several predefined generality levels the first information portion has. A presentation that includes an area divided into segments extending between a center and a periphery of the area is generated on a display device. The segments correspond to the respective predefined categories and the area is concentrically divided into levels corresponding to the respective predefined generality levels. The first visual item is placed in one of the segments and at one of the levels according to its determined category and generality level. Item distribution effectively uses available space.

Abstract: A learning system, method, and data structure provides collaborative activities between learners. The system includes an interface to receive a learning strategy selected by a learner. A content management system stores content and one or more collaboration elements associated with a course. A learning management system determines the learning content and the one or more collaboration elements to present to the learner based on the selected learning strategy. The learner participates using the collaboration element at a time of the learner's choosing while taking the course. The collaboration activity may be based on one or more collaboration scenarios including a brainstorming activity, a cooperative text processing activity, an explanation discourse activity, an answer-to-tutor activity, and a pro-contra dispute. The collaboration element may be provided as an intentional point of collaboration.

Abstract: Information is visually presented to a computer user by receiving, in a computer system, a request to present a first visual item representing a first information portion selected from an information collection available in the computer system. It is determined, in response to the request: (i) which of several predefined categories the first information portion is associated with, and (ii) which of several predefined generality levels the first information portion has. A presentation that includes an area divided into segments extending between a center and a periphery of the area is generated on a display device. The segments correspond to the respective predefined categories and the area is concentrically divided into levels corresponding to the respective predefined generality levels. The first visual item is placed in one of the segments and at one of the levels according to its determined category and generality level. Item distribution effectively uses available space.

Abstract: A computer system for identifying information related to a context includes a context gathering service configured to receive context deltas from a runtime and to identify a current context state. A context delta describes a change from a previous context state to the current context state. The computer system also includes a semantic model with elements and attributes, wherein an element represents one or more context states and an attribute is assigned to the element. The computer system further includes a rule interpreter configured to map the current context state to a current element and a recommender service configured to identify information related to the context in a knowledge source. The recommender service is identified by one or more attributes at least one of which is assigned to the current element.

Abstract: A course editor includes an input to accept author commands. An interface processes and displays the author commands to facilitate the creation of a course. The interface may include a workspace to display and assemble the structural elements into the course. The workspace may include a menu of structural elements that may be added to the course. The workspace is configured to display a structural element in response to an author command selecting the structural element from the menu. The structural elements may be a sub-course, a learning unit, and/or a knowledge item.

Abstract: An e-learning course may include a number of structural elements that are aggregated into one or more levels. Each higher level may refer to any instance of a lower level. The structural elements include a course, a sub-course, a learning unit, or a knowledge item. The structural elements may include metadata. The structural elements also may include relations between structural elements. The course and its structural elements do not enforce any sequence of structural elements that the learner may use to traverse the course. In addition, the structural elements may be reused and reassembled to form different courses. A content repository is configured to store course data and its structural elements. A content player is configured to access the stored course data and assemble the structural elements.

Abstract: A learning system, method, and data structure provides collaborative activities between learners. The system includes an interface to receive a learning strategy selected by a learner. A content management system stores one or more structural elements associated with a course. A learning management system determines the learning content and the one or more structural elements to present to the learner based on the selected learning strategy.

Abstract: A learning system, method, and data structure provides collaborative activities between learners. The system includes an interface to receive a learning strategy selected by a learner. A content management system stores content and one or more collaboration elements associated with a course. A learning management system determines the learning content and the one or more collaboration elements to present to the learner based on the selected learning strategy. The learner participates using the collaboration element at a time of the learner's choosing while taking the course. The collaboration activity may be based on one or more collaboration scenarios including a brainstorming activity, a cooperative text processing activity, an explanation discourse activity, an answer-to-tutor activity, and a pro-contra dispute. The collaboration element may be provided as an intentional point of collaboration.

Abstract: A learning system, method, and data structure provides collaborative activities between learners. The system includes an interface to receive a learning strategy selected by a learner. A content management system stores one or more structural elements associated with a course. A learning management system determines the learning content and the one or more structural elements to present to the learner based on the selected learning strategy.

Abstract: A learning system and a learning station for use with the learning system include an input to select a learning strategy and a course, a communications interface to transfer data between a learning management system and the learning station, and a processor to present a course based on the transferred data and the selected learning strategy. The learning station may include a learning interface to display course information and learner account information. The interface may include a navigation path window to suggest a navigation path based on the selected strategy.

Abstract: A course authoring system may include an author station to create a course, a content management system to store content and structure associated with the course, a learning management system to determine learning content to present to the learner based on a learning strategy applied to the content and the structure, and a communications link to transfer the course from the author station to the content management system. The author station may include an author tool configured to add structural elements to the course. The structural elements may include one or more of a course, a sub-course, a learning unit, or a knowledge item. The author tool is configured to associate the content with the structural elements. The course and its structural elements do not enforce a sequence of the content associated with the structural elements that a learner should use to traverse the course.

Abstract: A learning system and method apply learning strategies to course structure. The course structure includes a plurality of structural elements and one or more relations that indicate dependences between the structural elements. A learning strategy is selected and applied to the course structure. A sequence of structural elements is determined based on the applied learning strategy. Course content associated with the structural elements is suggested to be presented to the learner based on the determined sequence of structural elements. The learner may select the learning strategy. The learning strategies include macro-strategies and micro-strategies, both of which may be applied to the same course structure.

Abstract: A course editor includes an input to accept author commands. An interface processes and displays the author commands to facilitate the creation of a course. The interface may include a workspace to display and assemble the structural elements into the course. The workspace may include a menu of structural elements that may be added to the course. The workspace is configured to display a structural element in response to an author command selecting the structural element from the menu. The structural elements may be a sub-course, a learning unit, and/or a knowledge item.

Abstract: A learning system may include an interface, a content repository, and a content player. The interface is configured to receive a learning strategy that is selected by a learner. The content repository is configured to store course data. The content player is configured to access the stored course data and to apply a selected learning strategy to the course data to determine course data to be suggested for presentation to the learner. The content repository may be configured to store structural elements of a course that include a course, a sub-course, a learning unit, or a knowledge item. The course and its structural elements do not enforce any sequence of structural elements that the learner may use to traverse the course. The content player may apply the learning strategy to the course to generate a suggested sequence of structural elements to the user. The learning strategy may include a macro-strategy and a micro-strategy.

Abstract: An e-learning course may include a number of structural elements that are aggregated into one or more levels. Each higher level may refer to any instance of a lower level. The structural elements include a course, a sub-course, a learning unit, or a knowledge item. The structural elements may include metadata. The structural elements also may include relations between structural elements. The course and its structural elements do not enforce any sequence of structural elements that the learner may use to traverse the course. In addition, the structural elements may be reused and reassembled to form different courses. A content repository is configured to store course data and its structural elements. A content player is configured to access the stored course data and assemble the structural elements.