Papers in PDF format

On Teaching and Collaborative Development of Web-based Multimedia
Knowledge-Based Systems
Amir Hekmatpour [1]
IBM PowerPC Design Center
11400 Burnet RD MD 9730
Austin, Texas 78758
amir@ibmoto.com
1.0 Introduction:
Irfan Dawood
The University of Texas at Austin
Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
Austin, Texas 78712
irfan@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu
Priya Kalyanasundaram
The University of Texas at Austin
Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
Austin, Texas 78712
priya@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu
There has been a steady increase in research and development of interactive multimedia information systems. Such
systems are utilized in industry, education (edutainment) and commerce (infotainment). Useful information systems
need to deal with a broad spectrum of expertise which could neither be obtained from a single expert, nor be modeled
using a single technique. The successful realization of such systems depends on the ability to provide need-based
information and real-time end-user decision support. Multimedia knowledge-based systems (MMKBS) have been
gaining popularity in the fields dealing with mission critical applications, knowledge intensive tasks and heuristic
decision support. Internet and world wide web on the other hand have opened a spectrum of possibilities for distributed
hypermedia repositories, rapid access to customized information and cooperative problem solving. This paper reports on
a project-based graduate level course[2] at The University of Texas at Austin[3] on the theory and principles of
net-based MMKBS and tools and techniques for development and deployment of such systems.
The course combines traditional classroom lectures and web-based interaction and information dissemination to
incrementally introduce and engage students with MMKBS, Web, project management and team-based application
development [4]. The course methodology has proved to be an interesting and engaging method for teaching the
technology, as well as providing the students with a platform for rapid prototyping of useful web-based MMKBS
systems. This paper gives an overview of the course, the team-based project development process and a typical course
project.
2.0 Course Desc ription:
Most engineering and computer science students have been exposed to the notion of using Artificial Intelligence in
engineering applications but have not had a chance to participate in real world problem solving projects. In addition, in
most multimedia related courses, application development principles, techniques, and tools are hardly covered beyond
desktop publishing, presentation generation, and computer graphics. This course was developed to teach fundamentals
of MMKBS as well as provide hands-on training for developing web-based multimedia knowledge-based systems.
The major focus of this course is on techniques and tools for cooperative development of intelligent net-based
multimedia diagnostic and training applicat ions. A bro ad range of topics are covered to introduce students to the
fundamentals of knowledge-based systems, multimedia information systems and net-based solution delivery, as well as
the state-of-the-art tools and methodologies for practical development and deployment of such systems [5].
3.0 Course Projects: [6]
The course emphasizes and encourages hands-on learning. So, in addition to l ectures, homeworks and tests students are
required to define, develop, test and deploy a net-based MMKBS of their choice. The class is split into teams of 3-4
students and each team is asked to develop a business plan for a MMKBS application of their choic e. The business plan
should include detailed functional description as well as business justification and development plan and schedules.
Each team presents their business plan to the class and then exchange their business plan with another team for
evaluation and critique.
Once the proposed projects are accepted, each team partitions their project according to the principles of object-oriented
programming and modular system d esign. Each student is assigned a module, and is responsible for developing and
testing the module according to the specifications. Lectures, reading materials, and assignments a re tailored to enhance
the progress of class projects. As new topics are covered in class, stu dents add new functions or capabilities to their
modules. Subjects presented in the class are arranged in the order necessary for such an incremental and hands-on