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Integration or integrating dissemination of information in technology-enhanced learning takes specific generic forms, as documented by relevant literature in the last three decades.
In mapping-based approaches, mappings are created, i.e. statements establish processible and traceable correspondences between semantically related information sources. These usually link a global schema to various local ones. Intermediary-based approaches devise mediating mechanisms. These are for example mediators and ontologies. The latter introduces a common vocabulary between heterogeneous information sources. The restricted maintainability of complex, constantly evolving ontologies does not allow for high scalability. Finally, query-based approaches involve formulating and issuing enriched queries across the information sources involved. As already mentioned, most scenarios require a combined approach, therefore none of the styles outlined above can be found in its idealised form (see Park and Rahm, 2004).
Before considering and screening actual techniques of information integration, either at the syntactical and conceptual level of (meta-) data representation or at the application level abstracting from the layers below, we outline major dimensions of putting concrete techniques to use that are orthogonal to the actual approach selected. Though, they come with important implications for the architectural design and the evaluation against integration requirements identified for iCamp. Information integration has generically been described as an endeavour to link disperse information sources in order to provide a consolidated view to its users (i.e., human or machine). Information integration is achieved by devising a global view in terms of a global schema across the various sources involved (Lenzerini, 2002). The term global schema draws heavily from the established database integration traditions and is therefore not appropriately aligned to recent developments. In particular these are ontology-based information integration (in the sense used in the semantic-web communities), application-level techniques abstracting from the representational layer (object persistency), and ideas originating from selective dissemination of information (SDI). However, the architectural and functional role of a global schema is still present here. We therefore simply adopt the term “integration vehicle’ to cover the variety of conceptual homologues to the idea of a global schema.
Read more in Deliverable D3.1.
– Stefan Sobernig, Fridolin Wild
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