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Graphical Interface of Knowledge Structure: A Web-Based Research Tool for Representing Knowledge Structure in Text

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Abstract

Since the initial recognition that human knowledge is structured in a relational manner, technologies have been developed for assessing and analyzing the structure of knowledge for a variety of purposes. A computer-based text analytic offline software system, ALA-Reader, that was developed to assess this knowledge structure (KS) reflected in a text has been modified and improved since its initial announcement (Clariana 2004) through a number of investigations in various kinds of learning environments across several languages. Based on the empirical evidence from the ALA-Reader, we have recently developed the online version of the ALA-Reader, called Graphical Interface of Knowledge Structure (GIKS), that can immediately convert students’ writings into visually represented KS network graphs to indicate specific areas of their knowledge strengths and weaknesses compared to the referent KS (e.g., a teacher), regardless of which language is used. This paper presents an overview of the ALA-Reader system and applications, as well as the implication of the GIKS system in online contexts.

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Acknowledgements

This material is based upon work supported by the Penn State University's Center for Online Innovation in Learning (COIL). I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Roy B. Clariana for his guidance and encouragement throughout my academic study. I am fortunate to have you as my academic advisor.

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Correspondence to Kyung Kim.

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Kim, K. Graphical Interface of Knowledge Structure: A Web-Based Research Tool for Representing Knowledge Structure in Text. Tech Know Learn 24, 89–95 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10758-017-9321-4

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