adfa, p. 1, 2011.
© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2011
Enhancing the Learner’s Performance Analysis using
SMEUS Semantic E-learning System and Business
Intelligence Technologies
Fisnik Dalipi, Sule Yildirim Yayilgan, Zenun Kastrati
Faculty of Computer Science and Media Technology
Gjovik University College, Gjovik, Norway
{fisnik.dalipi, sule.yayilgan, zenun.kastrati}@hig.no
Abstract. Ontologies represent an efficient way of semantic web application on
e-learning and offer great opportunity by bringing great advantages to e-learning
systems. Nevertheless, despite the many advantages that we get from using on-
tologies, in terms of structuring the data, there are still many unresolved problems
related to the difficulties about getting proper information about a learner’s be-
havior. Consequently, there is a need of developing tools that enable analysis of
the learner’s interaction with the e-learning environment. In this paper, we pro-
pose a framework for the application of Business Intelligence (BI) and OLAP
technologies in SMEUS e-learning environment. Hence, on one hand, the pro-
posed framework will enable and support the decision-making by answering
some questions related to learner’s performance, and on the other hand, will pre-
sent a case study model for implementing these technologies into a semantic e-
learning environment.
Keywords: e-learning, SMEUS, ontology, OLAP, data analysis.
1 Introduction
E-learning platforms are widely used by higher education and other research-ori-
ented institutions to enhance the efficiency of institutional services related to teaching
and learning, and to improve quality of teaching. Nowadays, many of the e-learning
systems available on market lack in specific functionalities for the creation and delivery
of dynamic, modular learning paths that match the knowledge needs in a contextualized
(according to learner’s current activities) and individualized (according to learner’s ex-
periences, competences profiles, learning history and personal preferences) way [1].
Ontologies represent an immense opportunity by bringing great advantages to e-
learning systems. Their implementation is seen as a better solution for organizing and
visualizing didactic knowledge, and for this knowledge to be shared and reused by dif-
ferent educational applications. The usage of ontology represents an efficient way of
semantic web application on e-learning [2]. This is reflected on the realization of on-
tology-based description for the learning materials or the knowledge base. Addition-
ally, semantic notations are added for each learning object. In terms of organizational