A domain specific language notation for a language learning activity generation tool

Globalization has increased the need for society to master new languages. This need has encouraged the launch of many applications dedicated to language learning. This paper presents a graphical notation for a domain specific language to represent language learning activities. It describes how this notation enables developers to represent language learning activity characteristics using workflow, presentation, content, media and activity model conforming a metamodel that defines the abstract syntax of the domain specific language. This notation is implemented as part of an integrated development environment to build model-based applications. Finally, this proposal is evaluated with a framework that uses the cognitive dimensions of notations for notational systems. The proposed graphic diagram editor exceeds the experience that the user has with the reflexive model editor. In relation to the creation and editing of workflow models and presentation/activity models, the proposed graphical notation its more intuitive and easy to maintain visually than the traditional reflexive tree notation used by many model-based development frameworks.

Cognition of Graphical Notation for Processing Data in ERDAS IMAGINE

This article presents an evaluation of the ERDAS IMAGINE Spatial Model Editor from the perspective of effective cognition. Workflow models designed in Spatial Model Editor are used for the automatic processing of remote sensing data. The process steps are designed as a chain of operations in the workflow model. The functionalities of the Spatial Model Editor and the visual vocabulary are both important for users. The cognitive quality of the visual vocabulary increases the comprehension of workflows during creation and utilization. The visual vocabulary influences the user’s exploitation of workflow models. The complex Physics of Notations theory was applied to the visual vocabulary on ERDAS IMAGINE Spatial Model Editor. The results were supplemented and verified using the eye-tracking method. The evaluation of user gaze and the movement of the eyes above workflow models brought real insight into the user’s cognition of the model. The main findings are that ERDAS Spatial Model Editor mostly fulfils the requirements for effective cognition of visual vocabulary. Namely, the semantic transparency and dual coding of symbols are very high, according to the Physics of Notations theory. The semantic transparency and perceptual discriminability of the symbols are verified through eye-tracking. The eye-tracking results show that the curved connector lines adversely affect the velocity of reading and produce errors. The application of the Physics of Notations theory and the eye-tracking method provides a useful evaluation of graphical notation as well as recommendations for the user design of workflow models in their practice.

TagML—An Implementation Specific Model to Generate Tag-Based Documents

This article describes TagML, a method to generate collections of XML documents using model-to-model (M2M) transformations. To accomplish this goal, we define the TagML meta-model and the TagML-to-XML model-to-text transformation. While TagML models represent the essential characteristics of collections of XML documents, the TagML-to-XML transformation generates the textual representation of collections of XML documents from TagML models. This approach enables developers to define model-to-model transformations to generate TagML models. These models are turned into text applying the TagML-to-XML transformation. Consequently, developers are able to use declarative languages to define model-to-text transformations that generate XML documents, instead of traditional archetype-based languages to define model-to-text transformations that generate collections of XML documents. The TagML model editor as well as the TagML-to-XML transformation were developed as Eclipse plugins using the Eclipse Modeling Framework. The plugin has been developed following the Object Modeling Group standards to ensure the compatibility with legacy tools. Using TagML, unlike other previous proposals, implies the use of model-to-model transformations to generate XML documents, instead of model-to-text transformations, which results on an improvement of the transformation readability and reliability, as well as a reduction of the transformation maintenance costs. The proposed approach helps developers to define transformations less prone to errors than using the traditional approach. The novelty of this approach is based on the way XML documents are generated using model-to-model transformations instead of traditional model-to-text transformations. Moreover, the simplicity of the proposed approach enables the generation of XML documents without the need for any transformation configuration, which does not penalize the model reuse. To illustrate the features of the proposal, we present the generation of XHTML documents using UML class diagrams as input models. The evaluation section demonstrates that the proposed method is less prone to errors than the traditional one.

Software Architecture and Framework to Develop NFC-Based Applications

Applications are employing Near Field Communication (NFC) technology to interact with physical objects by using NFC tags. The architecture to implement these kinds of applications varies according to non-functional requirements such as the physical environment where the application is running, the flexibility to adapt the information to be manipulated through physical objects, etc. To cope with these challenges, this paper proposes a Model-driven Architecture (MDA) where designers are able to model the configuration of the system according to NFC based system requirements. Through a model-to-text transformation process, the MDA also provides developers with templates of source code for the applications that support the system. The proposed MDA process defines a Platform Independent Model (PIM) which supports a Domain Specific Language (DSL) implemented as an Eclipse platform plugin that provides designers with a graphical model editor, and a model to text transformation, to generate the source code templates using the Acceleo transformation language. The paper also presents the Albacete Photo Gallery case of study to illustrate the modelling process. The main benefit of the proposal is that it allows developers to create mixed environments where the availability and flexibility of NFC based interaction systems can be easily configured, extended and maintained.

For Your Enrichment: Flipping Library Information Literacy Sessions to Maximize Student Active Learning: Toward Articulating Effective Design and Implementation Principles

Information literacy remains a topic of interest to RUSQ readers and library practitioners. Here, Ladislava Khailova looks at using a “flipped-classroom” model for teaching information literacy in academic libraries, offering some recommended practices for those interested in pursuing this model.—Editor

“Never Had Much Difficulty”

As editor, mentor, and friend, Macmillan President George P. Brett had the single most significant influence on American writer Jack London’s professional publishing career. This essay explores how their partnership developed into one of the model editor-writer duos of the twentieth century putting them in the company of Maxwell Perkins and his authors. It examines the Brett and London’s correspondence regarding the editing, content, and publication of The People of the Abyss, The Iron Heel, The Road, Martin Eden, The Cruise of the Snark and other works. Brandt also highlights the significance of Brett and London’s shared interests—agriculture, arboriculture, travel, and the West.