AN EDUCATIONAL ARCHITECTURE THAT SUPPORTS INQUIRY-BASED CUSTOMIZABLE FORMS OF E-LEARNING

This paper discusses the ongoing educational paradigm shift and introduces the concept of a Knowledge Manifold, which is a learner-centric, open educational architecture that supports conceptual navigation and interactive exploration of an interdisciplinary knowledge landscape from the perspective of inquriy-based learning. The KM architecture is presented in the form of a number of educational design patterns that encode the structure of the correponding parts of the learning environment. A knowledge manifold is described as a kind of patchwork consisting of a number of linked knowledge patches, each maintained by a knowledge gardener. A knowledge patch is constructed from context maps, whose concepts are filled with knowledge components, which are designed with the overall aim to separate content from context by making use of multiple narration techniques. Basing the methodology on questions, seven different knowledge roles are introduced. The knowledge cartographer constructs context maps, the knowledge librarian fills the maps with content, the knowledge composer combines the content into customised learning modules, the knowledge coach cultivates questions, the knowledge preacher provides answers, the knowledge plumber routes questions and the knowledge mentor provides a role model and supports learner self-reflection.