GLUE!: An Architecture for the Integration of External Tools in Virtual Learning Environments

Autor/inn/en	Alario-Hoyos, Carlos; Bote-Lorenzo, Miguel L.; Gomez-Sanchez, Eduardo; Asensio-Perez, Juan I.; Vega-Gorgojo, Guillermo; Ruiz-Calleja, Adolfo
Titel	GLUE!: An Architecture for the Integration of External Tools in Virtual Learning Environments
Quelle	In: Computers & Education, 60 (2013) 1, S.122-137 (16 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0360-1315
DOI	10.1016/j.compedu.2012.08.010
Schlagwörter	Computer Software Evaluation; Cooperative Learning; Instructional Materials; Material Development; Instructional Material Evaluation; Computer Assisted Instruction; Electronic Learning; Educational Technology; Instructional Design; Computer System Design; College Instruction; Program Effectiveness + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Softwareanalyse; Kooperatives Lernen; Lehrmaterial; Lehrmittel; Unterrichtsmedien; Lehrmaterialentwicklung; Computer based training; Computerunterstützter Unterricht; Lesson concept; Lessonplan; Unterrichtsentwurf; Hochschullehre
Abstract	The integration of external tools in Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) aims at enriching the learning activities that educational practitioners may design and enact. This paper presents GLUE!, an architecture that enables the lightweight integration of multiple existing external tools in multiple existing VLEs. GLUE! fosters this integration by imposing few restrictions on VLE and tool providers, as well as by requiring an attainable effort from developers, unlike other integration works. Besides, GLUE! facilitates the instantiation and enactment of collaborative activities within VLEs, leveraging the VLEs distinctive features for the management of users and groups. GLUE! has been evaluated using three authentic collaborative learning situations, instantiated and enacted by real practitioners at university level. The results of this evaluation show that GLUE! reduces the burden of educators when instantiating collaborative activities that require the integration of external tools, while facilitates students the realization of these activities in collaboration. Interestingly, the development effort required by the integration software is similar to that in other lightweight generic approaches that offer a lower degree of functionality. (Contains 5 tables and 4 figures.) (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10