Objective
Main Objective
GESTALT will bring an online training demonstrator using the results of three ACTS projects:
-AC052 (PROSPECT) - Providing Multi-domain management in the expected open service market;
-AC100 (RENAISSANCE) - Integrating high performance services for interactive vocational training for European regeneration;
-AC221 (GAIA) - Providing generic architecture for information availability.
Technical Approach
The novel element of the project is the way in which the components from the above listed projects are integrated. The proposed strategy exploits two mechanisms for enabling the integration:
-The specification of open Business Objects comprising the interfaces between the various software system components within the GESTALT Architecture. These object specifications will consist of IDL descriptions and will be implemented within the GESTALT demonstrator;
-The definition of a metadata format capable of representing the multimedia courseware resources and their requirements for correct operation. The metadata will be developed in compliance with the defined format which will be deployed in the GESTALT demonstrator.
Summary of Trial
User-based trials will be conducted at the University of Naples and will include a broker service providing information on courses, modules and resources available, as well as online access to these via a web-enabled Learning Environment.
Network Performance trials will be conducted on the University of Sheffield Testbed which consists of configurable ATM, Cable Modem, ISDN and LAN Technologies.
Expected Achievements
The resulting GESTALT demonstrator will encompass:
-Creating Discovery Services capable of offering users the ability to search, locate and access online interactive multimedia vocational training courseware (e.g. short-course or individual module selection) from the training institution of their choice. It will exploit also the broker kernel model developed by GAIA;
-Extending Metadata to cover interoperability across heterogeneous platforms, Quality of Service requirements of individual resources over network links (exploiting service management issues from PROSPECT), minimum client configuration requirements and appropriate rendering tool information;
-Providing Online Training through the delivery of courseware materials previously developed in RENAISSANCE and PROSPECT. The demonstrator will include a number of elements from the GESTALT Architecture. These will include a web-based client interface and web server technology integrated with the LE database. The LE will manage the learning process and monitor trainee progress (from RENAISSANCE) and integrate with the institutional back-of-house MIS system for administration.
Expected Impact
It is the intention of the project to publicise both the object descriptions and the metadata syntax and, wherever possible, to align these with related standardisation developments both within Europe and globally, thus maximising the possibility of their widespread adoption.
Main contributions to the programme objectives:
Main deliverables
The project has defined a flexible component based architecture for brokerage and delivery of online learning and built a pilot implementation for validation purposes.
Contribution to the programme
The project has demonstrated the integration of CORBA and LDAP distributed platform technology with XML-based data modelling and state-of-the-art QoS management to create a scalable online learning architecture.
Key Issues
GESTALT will address the issues of integrating a number of technologies able to support the planned integration. CORBA and DCOM will be used to provide the distributed platform support required by this application. A metadata format servicing the requirements of the application will be specified, drawing on the work of bodies such as the US IMS Project and the IEEE LTSC. In addition, W3C XML metadata extensions, such as SMIL, will be explored for providing object synchronisation.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques.
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencesdatabases
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencessoftwaresoftware applicationssystem software
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencesinternetweb development
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Topic(s)
Call for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
CSC - Cost-sharing contractsCoordinator
S11 7AE Sheffield
United Kingdom