Interdisciplinary knowledge cohesion through distributed information management systems
| Published date | 12 November 2018 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JICES-03-2018-0021 |
| Pages | 413-426 |
| Date | 12 November 2018 |
| Author | Daniel Kaltenthaler,Johannes-Y. Lohrer,Florian Richter,Peer Kröger |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Information management & governance,Information & communications technology |
Interdisciplinary knowledge
cohesion through distributed
information management systems
Daniel Kaltenthaler,Johannes-Y. Lohrer,Florian Richter and
Peer Kröger
Department of Computer Science, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München,
München, Germany
Abstract
Purpose –Interdisciplinary linkage of information is an emerging topic to create knowledge by
collaboration of experts in diverse domains. New insights can be found by using the combined
techniques and information when people have the chance to discuss and communicate on a common
basis.
Design/methodology/approach –This paper describes RMS Cloud, an information management
system which allows distributed data sources to be searched using dynamic joins of results from
heterogeneous dataformats. It is based on the well-known Mediator architecture, but reverses the connection
of the data sources to grantdata owners full control over the data.
Findings –Data owners and learners are enabled to retrieve information and to cross-connect domain-
extrinsic knowledge and enhancescollaborative learning with a search interface that is intuitive and easy to
operate.
Originality/value –This novel architecture is able to connect to differently shaped data sources from
interdisciplinarydomains into one common retrieval interface.
Keywords Computer-assisted collaborative learning, Content sharing, Distributed data sources,
Information management system, Knowledge retrieval, RMS cloud
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
E-learning is –for years –a trending topic in every discipline that reassembles and
creates content with an educational and scientific background. Classical knowledge
transfer like teacher-centered teaching in a physical classroom is nowadays augmented
by emerging technological assets. The development of Web-based applications and the
increased coverage of internet access enable many tools and frameworks to share media
and help learners and teachers to share their knowledge and communicate all over the
world.
Learning can best work if learners have easy access to knowledge. According to
John Naisbitt (1982),we“are drowning in information but starved for knowledge”.In
this context, the gap between data and valuable information can often lead to
challenges regarding the acquisition of knowledge from data. Without suitable data
retrieval techniques, the learning process loses quality and progression speed which
demotivates learners. Especially the diversity of data sources, which is omnipresent
in interdisciplinary subjects, demands interoperability between all participating
entities. This implies the relevance for our novel concept for scientific and educational
purposes.
Information
management
systems
413
Received9 March 2018
Revised29 June 2018
Accepted17 July 2018
Journalof Information,
Communicationand Ethics in
Society
Vol.16 No. 4, 2018
pp. 413-426
© Emerald Publishing Limited
1477-996X
DOI 10.1108/JICES-03-2018-0021
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