A Plug-In Architecture for Graph Based Collaborative Modeling Systems Niels Pinkwart

A Plug-In Architecture for Graph Based Collaborative Modeling Systems Sharing and commenting of resources as a basic means to support learning Representation modes of these resources differ Frequently used mode for resources and means of commenting: graph based

A Plug-In Architecture for Graph Based Collaborative Modeling Systems Augmentation of argumentation tools: ”Collaborative Mind Tools“ Shared computational objects to think (work) with Enriched with rules and interpretation patterns Semantic processing of information Promising and easily possible: integration with modeling languages

A Plug-In Architecture for Graph Based Collaborative Modeling Systems Cool Modes (Collaborative Open Learning and Modeling Environment) Central aims: Means to mix different externally defined conceptual representations; plug-in domain semantics Work without loosing domain or social context High degree of flexibility (also for cooperation) without loss of processing power

A Plug-In Architecture for Graph Based Collaborative Modeling Systems

A Plug-In Architecture for Graph Based Collaborative Modeling Systems System Evaluation Single plug-ins evaluated in school settings Questionnaire for extension mechanism planned Outlook Model transformations Metadata and awareness components

A Plug-In Architecture for Graph Based Collaborative Modeling Systems Plug-Ins (dynamic use) System structure Synchronisation: MatchMaker Workspaces (shared) intra-tool interoperability

A Plug-In Architecture for Graph Based Collaborative Modeling Systems Reference Frames: Principles Encapsulate semantic units / languages, ”microworlds“ that can be mixed Offer shareable entities for work (or: thinking) Contain objects, relationships, constraints and interpretation patterns Have a UI that relies on direct manipulation Are externally defined and ”pluggable“

A Plug-In Architecture for Graph Based Collaborative Modeling Systems Reference Frames: Structure Realisations: - Code based (Java) - Data based (XML)

A Plug-In Architecture for Graph Based Collaborative Modeling Systems Reference Frames: XML example (Petri Nets) <ReferenceFrame> <TemplateClass>DefaultReferenceFrame</TemplateClass> <Objects> <Node> <ClassRef>PlaceNode</ClassRef> </Node> <ClassRef>TransitionNode</ClassRef> <Edge> <ClassRef>PetriEdge</ClassRef> </Edge>

A Plug-In Architecture for Graph Based Collaborative Modeling Systems Reference Frames: XML example (Petri Nets) <ReferenceFrame> <TemplateClass>DefaultReferenceFrame</TemplateClass> <Objects> <Node> <ClassRef>PlaceNode</ClassRef> </Node> <ClassRef>TransitionNode</ClassRef> <Edge> <ClassRef>PetriEdge</ClassRef> </Edge>

A Plug-In Architecture for Graph Based Collaborative Modeling Systems Reference Frames: XML example (Petri Nets) <Objects> … <Rule Message=“It is not allowed to draw ...”> <EdgeRule weight=“0”> <NodeRef>PlaceNode</NodeRef> <EdgeRef>PetriEdge</NodeRef> </EdgeRule></Rule> <Metadata> <Name>Petri Net Frame</Name> <Icon>petri32.gif</Icon> <Package>info.collide.coolmodes.plugins.petri</Package> </Metadata> </ReferenceFrame>

A Plug-In Architecture for Graph Based Collaborative Modeling Systems Reference Frames: XML example (Petri Nets) <Objects> … <Rule Message=“Do not connect Places to Places”> <EdgeRule weight=“0”> <NodeRef>PlaceNode</NodeRef> <EdgeRef>PetriEdge</NodeRef> </EdgeRule></Rule> <Metadata> <Name>Petri Net Frame</Name> <Icon>petri32.gif</Icon> <Package>info.collide.coolmodes.plugins.petri</Package> </Metadata> </ReferenceFrame>

A Plug-In Architecture for Graph Based Collaborative Modeling Systems Reference Frame based interpretation : How does Cool Modes analyse user-generated structures and how does it react? Workspace content is a graph (N,E) Interpretation: Ip(N,E) Generic information about elements is available to all the Frames Generic Interpretation by a Frame F: Ipgen (F,N,E)

A Plug-In Architecture for Graph Based Collaborative Modeling Systems Reference Frame based interpretation Each Frame F has sets Knows(F)  Defines(F). (NF,EF) largest subgraph of (N,E) with typesIn(NF)  Knows(F) and typesIn(EF)  Knows(F) Semantically enriched interpretation: Ipsem (F, NF, EF)

A Plug-In Architecture for Graph Based Collaborative Modeling Systems Reference Frame based interpretation Each Frame F has sets Knows(F)  Defines(F). (NF,EF) largest subgraph of (N,E) with typesIn(NF)  Knows(F) and typesIn(EF)  Knows(F) Semantically enriched interpretation: Ipsem (F, NF, EF) Overall, with set of Frames  and aggregation :

A Plug-In Architecture for Graph Based Collaborative Modeling Systems Reference Frame based interpretation Events upon node or edge... Adding Removal Movement Model change ... are distributed to Neighbours (local) Reference Frames (global)

A Plug-In Architecture for Graph Based Collaborative Modeling Systems System Evaluation Several reference frames evaluated in school settings, results used for usability improvement Questionnaire for evaluation of the extension mechanism itself planned Outlook Model transformations Inter-operability between Reference Frames  going beyond Knows(F) Metadata and awareness components

A Plug-In Architecture for Graph Based Collaborative Modeling Systems Questions? http://www.collide.info