Andrea Kohlhase: Thesis

In my PhD thesis, I considered the consequences of the data-about-data aspect of (using) semantic data and its consequences for designing semantic systems. In particular, idiosyncracies arise because the `semantic' part of knowledge has to be explicitly handed over to a machine, and subsequently the `captured knowledge' has to be revived by humans. Even though the former empowers many potentially useful services, but it is difficult in practice. The latter depends on the conditioning and presentation of the available `captured semantics' and its appropriation by individual users. In my work I took the "conceptual" Interaction Design standpoint (e.g. Schoen, de Souza, Winograd) and applied it to the use of semantic data in Knowledge Management and E-Learning applications. I found a general disregard of design for the evolutionary nature of decision-making in the interaction process. Therefore I argued for a so-called “Semantic Interaction Design” (ID for semantic data), where software designers in both fields have to collaborate and update their resp. implicit or explicit design strategy towards the consideration of the user's evolving value judgments together with an appreciation of the special qualities of semantic data. In particular, I suggested e.g. the concept of "Invasive Technology": From a user's micro-perspective, semantic authoring and general editing are the same, so why not offer semantic functionalities as an extension of well-known editing systems? Here, I implemented the Open Source "CPoint (Content in PowerPoint)" system - an invasive, semantic work environment for Microsoft PowerPoint. It prototypes an integrated system that supports using semantic data during the capture of educational content, its transformation to learning objects and their just-in-time delivery to students. Generalizing this analysis, I developed the "Added-Value Analysis" that helps designers to better understand the evolutionary process of decision-making when interacting.