Putting Order to Episodic and Semantic Learning Memories: The Case for KLeOS
Giasemi Vavoula, Michael Sharples · 2003
KLeOS is a Knowledge and Learning Organisation System which reflects the hierarchical organisation of learning into activities, episodes and projects (Tough, 1971; Vavoula & Sharples, 2002), and allows the user to organize and manage their learning experiences and resources as a visual timeline, while at the same time visualising their episodic learning memories. The prototype demonstrates functionality at three different levels, allowing the user to (a) manage their learning projects; (b) monitor the learning episodes they complete and associate them with projects where applicable; and (c) perform learning activities within episodes. In addition, it incorporates a knowledge map, which the user updates as they progress through their learning experiences and which reflects their semantic learning memories. The learning episodes (episodic learning memories) are interlinked with the relevant knowledge nodes in the map (semantic learning memories) allowing for browsing of past learning experiences and knowledge. KLeOS has been evaluated to assess its (a) usability and desirability, and (b) its effectiveness as a knowledge retrieval tool, against R-KLeOS, a reduced version of the software which does not support the interlinking between episodic and semantic learning memories. Although the users identified some shortcomings in the interface design of KLeOS, overall it was rated as a usable and useful tool that they would be willing to adopt. No significant difference was found between the effectiveness of KLeOS and R-KLeOS as knowledge retrieval tools, however there was some evidence that more prolonged use with real-world meaningful learning tasks might favour KLeOS.