Educational Modelling Languages

EML (Educational Modelling Language)

“To date no comprehensive notational system exists that allows one to codify units of study (e.g. courses, course components and study programmes), in an integral fashion. EML is the first system to achieve precisely this. EML describes not just the content of a unit of study (texts, tasks, tests, assignments) but also the roles, relations, interactions and activities of students and teachers. EML is neutral with respect to the pedagogy and mode of delivery used. One may use EML to model for instance a competence based pedagogy, problem based learning, performance support, self study packages or even traditional face-to-face teaching; EML allows one to deliver learning materials on paper, on CD-ROM, via the Internet, or via e-books. EML merely records the way in which the various elements of a particular educational setting are related in order that they may be interpreted by a computer. The major EML implementation is in XML (eXtensible Mark-up Language), an internationally accepted meta-language for the structured description of documents and data.” Open University of Netherlands

Added: 5 July 2001
Reviewer’s Note:
This is an exciting approach to modelling pedagogical environments

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Mentoring Activity and Query-Response Ontology (MAQRO)

“The Mentoring Activity and Question-Response Ontology (MAQRO) is an RDF ontology for describing query and response scenarios. MAQRO has features especially useful in educational settings. Use cases include storing test and assessment questions; describing a series of educational interactions; planning a series of education activities; and formulating polls.”

Added: 10 August 2004
Reviewer’s Note:
MAQRO is copyright © 2003-2004 GlobalMentor, Inc., and may be freely copied and used for non-commercial purposes, but only in unmodified form.

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PALO

“is a proposal of Educative Modelling Language  to describe and design learning content and learning environments  at a high level of abstraction. PALO is based on a  reference framework  to design educative content based in 5 levels of abstraction. Each level identifies a certain group of related components or elements of a learning resource.  The language  allows to define teaching strategies  by mean of   the definition of specific DTD’s called instructional templates .  This templates are a general type of PALO document that specially suits for a given instructional or teaching purpose. PALO has been designed to be a  technology-independent representation of a learning reseource, thus allowing educative content interchange , interoperability, mantainability and reusability. A PALO description of a learning content (a *.palo file) can be turned into a variety of  learning scenarios (each one built using an specific  delivery format) via a compiling process.”

Added: 3 February 2002
Reviewer’s Note:
Produced by UNED Madrid

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Tutorial Modelling Language

“Tutorial Markup Language (TML) an interchange format designed to separate the semantic content of a question from its screen layout or formatting. The language is designed to support several different types of question within the same content model. TML 4.0 is essentially a super-set of HTML, with new elements added to describe question information. TML version 4.0 has been specified using SGML, an ISO standard language for formally describing document types. Future versions of TML are likely to be represented using Extensible Markup Language (XML), a simplified subset of SGML, and be structured using the data modelling facilities of the Resource Description Framework (RDF). Work is currently in progress on TML version 5.0, re-named Tutorial Modelling Language to mark the shift to an RDF-based approach.” Institute for Learning and Research Technology, Bristol University

Added: 5 July 2001
Reviewer’s Note:
A modelling language that is being used to explore the creation of searchable question banks for online delivery of tutorials and assessment.

e-Learning Tools for Schools

Accelerated School Administrator Program (ASAP

“The Accelerated School Administrator Program (ASAP) provides individualized professional development that prepares school administrators and teachers to be effective leaders and educators. ASAP participants can enroll in a personalized professional development program that builds on individual strengths and addresses specific learner needs.”

Added: 2 September 2004
Reviewer’s Note:
“The programs’s ability to be configured to create customized professional development opportunities is what makes ASAP unique. The various components of the program can be mixed and matched to meet the needs and goals of individual learners, schools, and districts.

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ClassroomToolkit

“ClassroomToolkit is an Open Source movement for teachers. We offer strategic planning and management tools and tell-it-like-it is advice. We offer creative materials, reproducible modules, and tutorials that save teachers time and reduce stress. We provide a newsletter and eZine.”

Added: 18 January 2006
Reviewer’s Note:
“All you need to plan for the classroom”

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CourseBooker

“CS Group’s CourseBooker is designed to help training companies sell and deliver their training and e-learning courses, resources and other learning products.”

Added: 15 June 2007
Reviewer’s Note:

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eClass

“A unique monitoring and control system for IT-led classes. Broadcast video, monitor student screens, chat, text and supervise from the one screen

Added: 26 May 2004
Reviewer’s Note:
From Shadsoft, based in Broadstairs in UK

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FluxTime Studio

“FluxTime Studio is a collaborative animation environment for children from 4 to 14. It is fun to use and as easy to handle as a tape recorder!  Kids can create animation clips online, share them with other animators, and show them in the gallery.”

Added: 23 February 2005
Reviewer’s Note:
FluxTime can be used in animation projects to meet a range of educational objectives across the curriculum. For current projects and ideas visit www.education.fluxtime.com

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Headstart

“Headstart is our dedicated educational multimedia software for primary school and KS2. Suitable for 9 years and up and engages all pupils by allowing them to create exciting material easily.”

Added: 14 April 2006
Reviewer’s Note:
Headstart allows teachers and mentors to make comments directly on pupils’ work, on screen, and/or email projects for comments by colleagues.

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Knowledge Networks

“Have you ever wished you could access your schoolwork from any internet enabled computer anywhere in the world? How often have you wished you could discuss school issues without the need for endless staff meetings? Wouldn’t it be great to be able to share resources with schools in your cluster/region at the touch of a button and stop reinventing the wheel?”  

Added: 26 January 2004
Reviewer’s Note:
Solutions for primary, middle and secondary school - this vendor is based in New Zealand

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NetSchoolTools.com

“NetSchoolTools.com provides tools for organizing, generating, and editing online activities from reusable databases. Ideal for the typical school computer lab, NetSchoolTools.com also features printable versions of most activities and strong security for internet homework assignments. ”

Updated: 23 January 2005
Reviewer’s Note:
Technology for supporting school curricula with highly flexible, customized web-based activity generators.

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OPEUS

“OPEUS is a simple sustainable online webpage making tool that is as easy to operate as a word processor. OPEUS gives a school or other learning facility the opportunity to develop eportfolios - all authenicated by staff and online learning resources.  OPEUS is web based and all technical support is included - enabling the technology to support sustainable learning development without the technical drawbacks of more complicated solutions.”

Added: 24 August 2003
Reviewer’s Note:
“OPEUS for Schools - an inclusive tool to transform school improvement.”

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Primary Numeracy in a Flash

“This universal IWB programme contains everything you need to teach the National Numeracy Strategy. You have coins (UK and US), shapes, numbers, symbols, post-its, a clock, a thermometer, co-ordinates, a ruler and so much more… all at your fingertips!”

Added: 30 January 2006
Reviewer’s Note:
“If you teach mathematics to children up to the age of eleven then this is the tool for you.”

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Quiz Tree

“Online math games for school and home teach Multiplication, Subtraction, Addition, Division and more. ”

Added: 29 June 2007
Reviewer’s Note:

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Quiz Tree - Sight Words Practice

The website offers Flash Sight Words activities with animations and sounds

Added: 1st August 2007
Reviewer’s Note:
Some fun flash games and activites

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SP SnapShot

SP SnapShot™ enables teachers, administrators, and school districts to effectively mine, manage, analyze, report, and apply data to their school improvement initiatives. It empowers school administrators and teachers to find the information that will help them make real change in the classroom.”

Added: 2 September 2004
Reviewer’s Note:
“Sp SnapShot™ works directly with your Management Information System (MIS) department and tech specialists to import your data. Once the student data is imported, educators will be able to turn student performance data into information they can use.”

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Student Parliament

“An innovative citizenship tool to give your students a voice by linking them to a polling system where opinions contend for support.”

Added: 8 September 2004
Reviewer’s Note:
“A small school registration fee applies. This fee entitles all students in your school voting access for 12 months from the date you register.”

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School Poll Manager

“A school or college based polling system that allows a school to sample opinion, conduct online elections and develop curriculum responses to enrich the curriculum and promote active citizenship.”

Added: 8 September 2004
Reviewer’s Note:
“An annual access fee applies.”

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Teaching made easier

“Elementary teachers: Enter your own words, select an activity, then print it. 40+ activities. Watch our 3 min how to video: Create 3 activities in 3 easy steps.”

Added: 5 December 2004
Reviewer’s Note:
Free 7-day demo available

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Think.com

Think.com is a free service from Oracle Corporation for primary and secondary schools.

Updated: 23 January 2003
Reviewer’s Note:
“an exciting and unique tool for students and educators to participate in a global learning community”