Group-oriented Modelling Tools with Heterogeneous Semantics Niels Pinkwart COLLIDE Research Group University of Duisburg, Germany.

Group-oriented Modelling Toolswith Heterogeneous Semantics

Niels PinkwartCOLLIDE Research GroupUniversity of Duisburg, Germany

IT & CSCL mainly based on:Computer-mediated communication-Sharing of resources-Distribution of material-Digital archives

Usually: No semantic processing of the information

Another tendency:Mind tools“Computational objects to think with”Collaborative discovery learning

New / Current challenge:“Computational objects to think with” in a collaborative frameworkallowing co-learners to synchronously-Construct and elaborate external representations-Make use of the semantics embedded in these representations-Discuss and share their work flexibly

Core Problems:Hard-coded interpretation schemes are not really the aimThe degree of semantics / structure differs and is domain-dependent(from “formal” to “informal”)

Examples for domain-specific languages:Petri netsSystem dynamicsVisual programming languagesUML

Formal semantics

Discussion elementsPartial / No formal semantics

Hand-written comments

Idea:“Plug-In” semantics and interpretation schemes in a generic collaborative environment

Aims :External definition of semantically enriched languagesThe possibility of flexibly mixing these languages“Multi-functional and multi-representational tools”“Extension of paper&pencil”… and all this with co-operation support

Main Advantage:Work without loosing domain or social context

Usage scenarios:Networked ubiquitous (mobile) environmentsPresentations & collaborative work

Principles of Cool Modes(Collaborative Open Learning, Modeling and Designing System)

• shared workspace environment• workspaces consist of different layers which can contain “solid” objects (synchronizeable visual representations)• flexible co-operation modes

“Palettes”: The language plug-ins• offer the objects to work (or: think!) with• encapsulate the domain dependent semantics• are externally defined

Co-operation support in Cool Modes(bases on MatchMaker TNG)• by Workspace• by Layer• by Element• …

Co-operation support in Cool ModesExample: layer-wise coupling

Domain-dependent Elements - Definition

Reference frames• define the domain-dependent elements and their relations (nodes and edges)• offer the possibility for simulations, modelling, … (local and global algorithms)• have a visual interface themselves (Palette)• can at runtime be added / removed (“plug-in”)

Domain-dependent Elements - Definition

Nodes• Model – used for synchronization (Serializable)• View – (JComponent)• Controller – event processing (generic & domain-dependent)

Edges • similar to nodes• additionally: rule-sets (e.g. in Petri Nets)

Domain-dependent Elements - Definition

Cool Modesframework

Ref. Frame Palette

EdgesNodes

Workspace

defines defines

shown in

offers

used in

consults for interpretation

SemanticEventHandler

includes

knows

Domain-dependent Elements – Interpretation principles

1. Reference Frames define the semantic relations and areresponsible for objects in one domain “understanding”each other

2. They provide event-driven rules ( domain ontology )3. Events generated through user actions contain the changed

models as parameter4. There are generic “local” and “global” events5. Specific domain-dependent events can be freely defined

Domain-dependent Elements – Global events

Fired upon a change in a workspaceTypical listener: reference frame itselfEvent types: Adding, Removing and Moving Nodes/Edges

• Element presence / absence(“Are required elements available?”)

• Spatial relations in a workspace(“Are items arranged correctly?”)

• Algorithms of the abstract graph structure(e.g. connectivity checks)

• Checking and modifying node/edge models(e.g. for running simulations)

Domain-dependent Elements – Global events

Fired upon a change in a workspaceTypical listener: reference frame itselfEvent types: Adding, Removing and Moving Nodes/Edges

• Element presence / absence(“Are required elements available?”)

• Spatial relations in a workspace(“Are items arranged correctly?”)

• Algorithms of the abstract graph structure(e.g. connectivity checks)

• Checking and modifying node/edge models(e.g. for running simulations)

Domain-dependent Elements – Local events

Fired upon a change in a node or edge modelTypical listeners: nodesEvent types: Adding and Removing Edges, Changing Models

• Local graph algorithms and model changes(e.g. in Petri Nets)

• Context-based feedback(e.g. for hints or “lightweight” corrections)

Current and future development

• ApplicationsStochastics explorationInteraction analysis

• Extension of the MatchMaker communication server

“undo/redo” logging and replay

• Integration of mobile devices - “lightweight clients”

• Extended use of XML (not only for storage)SOAP interfaces for synchronization

Niels Pinkwart

e-mail: [email protected]

web: http://www.collide.info