Guided curation of semistructured data in collaboratively-built knowledge bases

The collaborative curation of semistructured knowledge has become a popular paradigm on the web and also within enterprises. In such knowledge bases a common structure of the stored information is crucial for providing efficient and precise search facilities. However, the task of refining, extending and homogenizing knowledge and its structure is very complex. In this article we present two paradigms for the simplification of this task by providing guidance mechanisms to the user. Both paradigms aim at combining the power of automated extraction algorithms with the semantic awareness of human users to accomplish this refinement task.     

3D printing as a means of learning and communication: The 3Ducation project revisited

This research project explores to what extent the utilization of open-source 3D printers and 3D design software could serve as means of learning and communication. The principles of non-formal education aligned with the concept of constructionism are used to create an experimental educational scenario focused on geocultural tourism for persons with visual impairments. This paper documents our experience and presents our findings from a 25-day long project, which took place in Zagori, northwestern Greece. 11 high school students from Portugal designed and manufactured natural and cultural heritage artifacts carrying messages in the Braille language. The objects were then handed to people with visual impairments with a twofold aim. First, to enable the communication among persons with and without visual impairments; and, second, to empower students to participate in training projects through open educational procedures. We conclude that open educational practices can boost students’ active engagement in educational processes. Finally, 3D printing encourages a meaningful communication among people with and without visual impairments via the tangible exploration of geocultural components.     

Using a virtual learning community (VLC) to facilitate a cross-national science research collaboration between secondary school students

This paper reports on how a virtual learning community (VLC), set up on Wikispaces, facilitated cross-national collaboration in high level scientific research involving six teams of four students from two schools, one in Singapore and one in USA. Qualitative case study methods were employed. Data from online postings, reflections and interviews were analysed using the Miles and Huberman (1994) approach to inductive analysis. Findings showed that the students found the VLC useful for their collaboration and the exchanges on the platform positively impacted them in the cognitive, intellectual and interpersonal aspects. Recommendations for future practice and research are made.     

The analytic network process for managing inter-enterprise collaboration: A case study in a collaborative enterprise network

In the last years, collaboration among enterprises has gained attention in the business environment as a means to remain competitive. Enterprises that are collaborating look for improving their performance but, in real assessments, they often do not establish efficient frameworks to structure and manage the enterprise association/inter-enterprise performance. In addition, there are many factors that act as barriers to effective collaboration and have to be also properly managed as they impact on the inter-enterprise performance. This paper provides a methodology based on the analytic network process (ANP) to identify and measure, under an integrated approach, both factors and inter-enterprise performance considering their reciprocal impact. With this innovative approach, enterprises will obtain significant information for the decision-making process regarding which are the factors and inter-enterprise performance elements that generate a higher impact and therefore have a high priority within the specific collaborative relationship. Thus, enterprises can focus their efforts on improving those most important factors and performance elements, and consequently, enhancing their competitiveness.     

现代自动武器数字化设计制造流程研究

探讨了现代自动武器数字化设计制造的工作模式和流程,为实现数字化产品设计、仿真分析、工艺设计、工装设计、产品装配、检验检测等在自动武器数字化协同平台下的并行与协同提供了参考。对自动武器数字化设计制造协同平台集成关系进行分析,从各阶段的工作内容、参与人员和输入输出等方面与自动武器传统模式进行对比,分析了数字化设计制造对工作模式、组织结构等产生的革命性变化,举例说明了自动武器数字化设计制造协同平台的主要运行过程,为自动武器数字化设计制造的实施与推动提供了参考。     

美国南加州大学中国学院简介

文章简要介绍了美国南加州大学建筑学院中国学院,包括设立的时间、目的及发展计划等。     

Collaboration: a personal report

The paper presents a personal report on an art technology collaboration     

New directions in interactive art collaboration

This special issue of CoDesign is introduced with a brief discussion of creative collaborations between artists and their audiences. In particular, the concept of Beta_Space, an experimental exhibiting facility in which artists can experiment with their evolving interactive works, is introduced. A short historical diversion places that development in its historical context in terms of the author's work in that area in the UK and Australia. The papers in the issue are briefly discussed.     

Enhancing learning ecology on the Internet

Abstract Recent notions view learning as participation in a learning environment or community where learners work together and support each other as they use information resources and tools to pursue their learning goals and solve problems. A broader meaning is to extend the idea of the learning environment to the overall setting in which learning communities come into existence, evolve, fade away, regenerate or transform. The advent of the Internet has brought about a powerful medium for creating and supporting such a notion of the learning ecology. Through the image of biological ecologies with their diversity, complex dynamics, and opportunistic niches for growth, learning problems and solutions on the Internet are explored and ways to enhance the ecology are suggested.     

THOUGHTS ON ECOLOGICAL WATERSHED PLANNING UNDER THE TERRITORIAL SPATIAL PLANNING

The author firstly points out several problems that commonly exist in China’s watersheds and the urgent need for multidisciplinary collaboration in ecological planning. The theories and practices on watershed ecological planning are reviewed respectively from the aspects of waterway planning, natural river and wetland protection, ecological baseflow recovery, nonpoint source pollution reduction, and biodiversity protection. The author suggests that if we could reserve multi-functional ecological zone in the new territorial spatial planning by multidisciplinary collaboration, ecological goals including flood control, water quality improvement, ecological base flow provision, and biodiversity protection could be achieved. In this comprehensive solution, only when water bodies and associated habitats such as the ground and underground, upstream and downstream, and rivers and banks are coordinated as a whole, it will generate multiple ecological benefits. Finally, the author believes that planners and designers have the ability to solve ecological problems. To fulfill this vision, we must call for collaboration between land planning and ecological watershed planning in the process of territorial spatial planning.