TOPIC 8.
Development of Web-Technology Structures to Search
Standards-based (pre K-12) Instructional
and Assessment Materials

• Design of Search Engine for Standards-Based Curriculum and Assessments
• Standards-based Curriculum Tools for Teachers and Students
• Net-Centric Database and Interface Framework for Extensible, Scalable Management of Instructional and Assessment Materials
• ELVIS: Endless Learning Visual Information Space
• Development and Standardization of a New Domain Specific XML Schema to Facilitate the Design of High Efficiency Web-Based Search Engines

SPONSORING OFFICE:
Office of Educational Research and Improvement

Abstract:
Goals 2000 calls for the implementation of standards-based curriculum and assessment techniques. While individual states and organizations are taking steps towards creating these standards and techniques, efforts need to be focused towards the implementation of these standards. Realizing that it is impossible to implement a standard without a consensus and understanding of the same, this study aims to develop a search engine for standards-based curriculum and assessment techniques for pre K-12 in the areas of mathematics and science. The search engine will allow users to access and search a database for state and agency standards. The search engine will also serve as a building block for a Phase II project that will, among other things, allow users to:

• determine if standards used by a particular state conform to the standards used by a particular agency
• involve community and teachers in the reform process
• compare standards from different states or agencies
• determine at what level is a particular curriculum taught by a State (e.g., at what grade is multiplication taught in what states)
• keep track of changes made by states or agencies in standards-based curriculum and assessment techniques.

Search engines are one of the most time saving techniques to search for the desired information. Considering there is an imminent need for educating people on standards-based curriculum and assessment techniques, a search engine for this information will allow users to obtain information by a method they prefer most - searching on the Internet.

Summary of Anticipated Results and Implications:
The search engine can be used by states and agencies to display the progress they have made in the establishment of standards-based curriculum and assessment techniques. It will serve its greatest use to the consumer who can determine how his/her curriculum stacks up against the standards recommended by other states and agencies. The search engine can also be used by private schools for the same purpose. It can be used by the Department of Education to determine if the states have complied with the objectives of Goals 2000.

Abstract:
FamiliarTales is a Small Disadvantaged Business that specializes in creating next-generation technology solutions for educators and educational institutions. In its effort to create equal access to free literacy material, FamiliarTales has created a suite of prototype teacher and student tools. With this Phase I award, FamiliarTales will determine the feasibility of integrating its ongoing research and development activities into an existing university-based educational research effort; of creating a methodology for quickly prototyping and testing educational modules in real-world environments to ensure ultimate end-usability; of integrating FamiliarTales technology partners as R&D advisors in the development of the most up-to-date underlying technology solution; and of identifying any late-breaking Internet trends that might affect the ultimate deployment of its tools.

In the end, FamiliarTales will provide a desktop solution for teachers that will enable them to concentrate less on technology and more on teaching. It will provide a web interface for students that allow even the very young to utilize age-appropriate Internet educational material. All FamiliarTales tools will be free and will be delivered over the Internet.

It is the mission of FamiliarTales to provide teachers with high-quality tools that simplify their classroom lives and make their jobs easier.

Summary of Anticipated Results and Implications:
None provided.

Abstract:
Using a combination of commercial relational and object-oriented databases and custom JAVA searchware and interfaces, MetaLogic proposes to develop a flexible assessment database combined with a library of multimedia instructional materials with an innovative interface in a secure, Internet environment. Instructional and assessment materials would be coded to state standards and an educator could search, select and present learning materials as well as associated assessment items.

This proposal presents the merging of two very complementary but independent projects. MetaLogic is currently developing an innovative interface and flexible CD-ROM database for search and manipulation of K-12 social studies assessment items to be used in 23 states. Sara Moshman, President of MetaLogic, has been actively researching and developing distributed multimedia library software for 6 years. The software implements parallel, distributed searching but also includes easy but unique and sophisticated manipulation tools tailored for educators, such as the ability to dynamically create and show multimedia slideshows.

These two projects combine to form a well-designed net-centric framework for an instructional and assessment database that could be used nationally, across all content areas, and include easy search and manipulation tools. It is also poised for continued evolutionary growth in function and data.

Summary of Anticipated Results and Implications:
Phase I will focus on the research and construction of a working prototype. Phase II would expand the prototype so that it can be deployed nationwide across all content areas. Metalogic would continue to support, development, and market the product - perhaps manage these databases for the states as a fee-based service. Implications could be a new education application framework and infrastructure that would be well-engineered for continued growth and development, can encompass national, even global, cross-disciplinary access. Implications include handling increasingly complex instructional material and computer adaptive testing, all coded to state standards.

Abstract:
Recent advances in web-related programming provide us with the opportunity to improve the dissemination and judicious application of pre-K to 12th grade science education standards. We propose to create a web-based visual information space that is designed for educators to easily search, gather, and share science education standards related information in real time or asynchronously. The database will have the virtual form of a building with floors representing general topic areas and rooms representing specific topic areas. Visitors will be able to visually navigate through and fully interact with the database and be able to chat with other visitors. This information space will be built using modem object-oriented, client-server programming methods and will take advantage of revolutionary advances in markup technology for the document database.

In Phase I, we will develop a complete prototype system to demonstrate the proof of the principle. In Phase II we will refine the prototype expanding on the basic features, add content forming alliances with current web-content providers, and employ end-user testing adding the most requested features.

Summary of Anticipated Results and Implications:
The results of the work of Phases I and II will be a web tool functioning as a resource center and facilitating communication among anyone interested in pre-K to 12th grade standards-based science education. The product will have commercial application for use in national organizations to host virtual meetings. The initial science teacher version will be attractive for the National Science Teachers Association, but the product can easily be generalized and adapted to any organization.

Abstract:
The Internet does and will provide a robust medium for the transfer and exchange of information from a wide variety of sources. Currently, most Internet search engines and web-based technologies do not provide a sufficient level of abstraction in extracting information and web content of specific interest. However, the emergence, standardization, and acceptance of XML or eXtensible Markup Language will change the way data is transferred and exchanged over the Internet. XML is a meta-language; it defines a syntax by which users can define their own tags, in effect defining their own language. This feature of XML makes it far more powerful than current HTML. The robustness and flexibility of XML will be further researched in order to design a new Domain Specific XML Schema that will be used in developing future web-based search engines.

Summary of Anticipated Results and Implications:
Currently, XML schemas are being generated to handle specific business or industry needs. For example, the Financial Information eXchange Markup Language or FDCML was created to specifically handle financial information and data interchange over the Internet. Similarly, the Chemical Markup Language or CML was designed to publish and exchange data on the Internet relating specifically to chemical compounds and properties. CML enables researchers to quickly search through large repositories to find very specific information. Our research efforts would extend and build upon proven and emerging web technologies to develop novel Domain Specific XML Schemas specifically tailored for the publication and exchange of educational standards data on the Internet. This endeavor would provide a strong foundation for the development of powerful search engines capable of intelligent Information Access or IIATM. IIATM is our design premise for accessing information without wasting time and resources on deciphering which piece of information is valid or consistent with the framework that the user has in mind.

Developing a web-based search engine based on an educational-specific XML Schema would be an ideal situation for implementing and testing the concepts of IIATM. The Educational Standards eXchange Markup Language or ESXMLTM would provide an ideal method for the systemization of all standards-based research materials for multiple content domains in multiple states and indeed in multiple countries with similar educational structures. The commercial implications for this technology are far reaching. The primary benefit would be a standardized and consistent method for searching, posting and exchanging complex educational standards data on the web. However, XML technology can also be coupled with that of ASP or Active Server Page technology. This would facilitate and drive forward the dynamic capabilities of on-the-fly web page design and content delivery. The concept of dynamic web content delivery could foster new levels of collaboration and empowerment among educators, administrators, and parents without the need for duplicating web documents for different viewers. In addition, all aspects of design, production, and delivery could be privately maintained and/or co-developed with interested schools, districts, or states. Thus, the potential for revenue generating income based on licensing, per- usage service fees, flat fees, data warehousing, training, and/or consulting is significant.

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