UNPUBLISHED ARTICLES





Rosca I. TELOS - an infrastructure for educative inter-operation through the Internet
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Keywords: TELOS, LORNET, GEFO, Learning and Knowledge Management Systems- LKMS, web service oriented architecture, holistic management of production cascades, concurent engineering
Abstract: The LORNET project seeks technical and semantic inter-operation between educational service sources and resources repositories, accessible through Internet. I have defined the TELOS' conceptual architecture so that it sustains the modeling and the management of distributed instruction activities: from the emergent ones (searching human and material support and chining operations freely) to the orchestrated ones (through rigid or adaptable scenarios). The proposed system is based on a "knowledge layer" used for referencing all the components: persons, documents and activities. It trails the lifecycle of the new resources, obtained by "aggregating" the existent ones and the lifecycles' chaining- in production cascades. Apart the study of other pedagogical workflow managers I have tried new physiological formulas for procedures' coordination, using "functions"- managed with the GEFO prototype. These interesting utilities (progressive adaptation, semantic matching etc.) can also be used in the modeling, demonstration, management and evolving engineering of the TELOS system.

Rosca I. Managing the global knowledge metabolism of an evolving community
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Keywords: TELOS, GEFO, Knowledge management, Competence management, Document indexation management, Activities indexation and management, Instructional systems, Global knowledge metabolism, Holistic and transdisciplinary approaches
Abstract: The experience as systems engineer- led me to a holistic vision about knowledge management. Knowledge is "incarnated" in people- evolving in the context of their cognitive system, explained in resources, implied in activities producing competence changes. Between the management of knowledge reference systems- used for indexing persons, documents and actions- and the management of the processes in which this knowledge is used and modified- a profound and cybernetic interaction operates. I carefully considered it in conceiving the architecture of TELOS (see the KSR communication). By means of the "metafunction" mechanism, prototyped in the GEFO system (see the BPOKI communication) we can model the global metabolism of the community's evolving knowledge. Using system meta-ontologies and the facilities to observe and support the "semantic equilibrium" offered by (meta)functions- we obtain a powerful tool for the global management of knowledge based systems' physiology

Rosca I. Shared research about knowledge sharing - the LORNET case
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Keywords: Knowledge sharing and management, Web-based services, Learning resources, Aggregation life cycle, Production cascades, LORNET, TELOS, Cooperative research
Abstract: The LORNET project coordinates the efforts of a Canadian academic consortium, seeking to facilitate the inter-operation between various educational service providers and resource repositories- accessible through Internet. The TELOS system put the accent on the lifecycle management of any new resource resulted from the "aggregation" of existing ones and on the chaining of these lifecycles in "production cascades". Educational activities (from the emergent ones - based on resource searching and free operation chaining - to the orchestrated ones- through "functional scenarios") envision knowledge sharing and imply sharing the objects used for knowledge learning and communication. To facilitate this metabolism I have based the system's architecture on "a knowledge layer", used for referencing all the components: persons, documents and activities. But the coordination of LORNET research activities poses similar problems to those it try to solve. Therefore, its organization would benefit from the use ... of the instruments that it produces.

Rosca I. Procedures modeling, adaptation, orchestration and reproduction with "functions"
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Keywords: Process modeling, Workflow orchestration, Knowledge management, Procedures reproduction, Model life cycle, Functions and metafunctions, GEFO, Evolutionary engineering
Abstract: The procedures that have to be executed or learned can be represented in passive models (useable for information only) or active ones (used in orchestration). On the other hand, knowledge learning and management processes can themselves be modeled. After a long study on the issue of modeling, learning, orchestrating, managing, adapting and reproducing knowledge based procedures, I tried to synthesis my perplexity in my PhD thesis. I have continued the research in the context of LICEF projects, experimenting the "functions" formula (term borrowed from biology to point out an organic and evolutionary approach)- with the help of the GEFO prototype. The investigation of the physiology of the global system formed by a procedure and its model, led me to manage the model's "lifecycle" with the help of "metafunctions". I expose here succinctly the functions' usage contexts, their structure and physiology, signaling the Knowledge Management applications.

Rosca I. The explanatory interaction - history of a research
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Keywords: CSCW, CSCL, learning by co-doing, shared applications and architectures, triple controlled action, coordination with active functions, matching for actors' concretisation
Abstract: The link between doing and knowing determines the blend between information, help and instruction. The education's instrumentation involves communication, cooperation, sharing and coordination tools. An optimal use of CSCW methods and instruments in instructional systems requires the understanding (modeling) of the explicative interaction. The co-action needs (remote) application sharing facilities and leads to expert-novice-computer triangulations- according to various and flexible "interaction modes" (for a "metamorphic" assistance). The bi-human character of explicative processes limits the simulation (automation) possibilities. To support resource and sense sharing, the computer network can provide "competence matching" services - based on semantic indexation. The procedures' models can be used as instruments for their coordination. I have explored orchestration mechanisms - based on knowledge and supporting its evolution - introducing "functions". I founded systems' physiology on these mechanisms, using them for managing the pedagogical resources "lifecycles" and the "system production cascades".

Rosca I. MODEL BASED Engeniering OF PRODUCTION CASCADES- A system phylogenetic approach
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Keywords: dynamic system approach in software engineering, procedure orchestration with functions and metafunctions, evolving use cases, ontogenetic life cycles, phylogentic production cascades, metamodelling
Abstract: Experience has led me to a holistic vision on the system-in-processes involving (aggregating) persons, objects, activities and knowledge. That is why I've met with interest and attempted to extend the new orientations in software engineering, when I've elaborated conceptual architectures for systems facilitating the distributed instruction through the Internet. I have grounded the methodology for (re)producing procedures instrumented with computers on the idea of using their models as orchestration instruments- introducing "functions", explored with the GEFO prototype. The "use cases" - have hence become an assistance tool for the utilization of the constructed systems, evolving along with them, both as their model and as one of their parts. The model-reality circular relationship also has show up in the evolution of the TELOS system designed in the LORNET project, justifying a software engineering approach based on metafunctions. Observing the recursive situation, I have investigated the transition from the separate management of "ontogenetical" production chains to the unitary management of "phylogenetical" production cascades

Rosca I. Pragmatic "layer" or knowledge physiology?
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Keywords: semantic web, pragmatic web, Wittgenstein on ambiguity, contextuality and inseparability, cybernetics of the reality-model loop, modelling global knowledge phisiology
Abstract: As Wittgenstein pointed out, the lived concepts articulate their meaning (reduce their ambiguity) at the moment (in the context) of their use. Learning and application of knowledge in actions- are interlaced processes, "sculpting" progressively a cognitive destiny, which, in interrelation with other individual adventures- determinates a socio-cognition history. The dynamics of knowledge use is consubstantial with its evolution. The "pragmatic Web" promoters with "4d" visions should scrutinize the global physiology of systems (processes) including persons, objects and activities- that involve knowledge. They meet the opposite tendency manifested in the processes management research: to base "workflow" assistance services on "knowledge structures"- used as reference systems. At the junction between these orientations (in the GEFO and LORNET projects) I have introduced "functions": models of activities, usable in their coordination, based on evolving competences. Observing and managing (with "metafunctions") the physiology of the relationship between a "function" and the physical - cognitive phenomenon modeled/influenced by it - I felt that these "active use cases" belong to the intermediary layer (between the reality and its image in the conceptual mirror) - seek by the "pragmatic Web" research. Finally, the model that I propose replaces the "layered vision" with one based on "interpenetrated reality levels".

Rosca I. A "4d" vision about knowledge physiology
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Keywords: 4d vision, knowledge system evolution, complexity, ambiguity, contextuality, inseparability, active models, reality-image loop, global knowledge phisiology, semantic web
Abstract: As Wittgenstein pointed out, the lived concepts articulate their meaning (reduce their ambiguity) at the moment (in the context) of their use. Learning and application of knowledge in actions- are interlaced processes, "sculpting" progressively a cognitive destiny, which, in interrelation with other individual adventures- determinates a socio-cognition history. The dynamics of knowledge use is consubstantial with its evolution. The "pragmatic Web" promoters with "4d" visions should scrutinize the global physiology of systems (processes) including persons, objects and activities- that involve knowledge. In the GEFO and LORNET projects, I have introduced "functions": models of activities, usable in their coordination, based on evolving competences. These "active use cases" belong to an intermediary layer between the reality and its image in the conceptual mirror. Finally, the model that I propose replaces the "layered vision" with one based on "interpenetrated reality levels"

Rosca I. Cognitive communities using semantic matching: knowledge propagation and human transformation
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Keywords: distributed cognition, collective brain, responsibility and awareness, cognitive evolution policy, explanation propagation, semantic matching, knowledge reproduction, active models,
Abstract: Individual minds also form a collective brain. Its physiology and evolution are based on knowledge wave propagation- using explicative consonances lived by human pairs. The communicational network has a synaptic character. Optimising knowledge streams requires the modelling of the cognitive space to assist, in a "mirror"- usable for sustaining matching, distribution and retrieval mechanisms. A cybernetic loop is closed when the "semantic mirror" is used in the orchestration of the intellective process it models, forming an evolving whole with it. A society equipped this way has a different physiology and evolves towards different individual and collective human conditions. Once aware of this- we are overwhelmed by responsibilities. What can we do so that the "semantic web" drive us away from, not towards the world imagined by Orwell in "1984"? The meta-modelling of the "cognitive reality - semantic mirror" physiology offers instruments for fighting the pathology of the community's cognitive metabolism

Rosca I. Adaptable models for procedure orchestration and competence matching services
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Keywords: procedure modelling and orchestration, function and metafunction, competence indicators, conditions, services and agents; explicative matching; progressive concretisation of man-machine teams, optimisation problems, GEFO
Abstract: While developing the GEFO prototype, I explored the fluid passage from modelling process to orchestrating and reproducing them - proposing the "function" formula. The services obtained by their use (information, declaration, facilitation, coordination)- valorise the efforts made in the edition phase. They can also sustain the matching of relevant elements, available at execution time, based on the semantic indexation of potential participants and resources- relative to knowledge reference systems. The definition of "postures" allows for the formulation of "competence conditions" around activities- seen as competence operators. Using metafunctions we can globally manage the procedure-model loop and the "lifecycle" of functions. The selection services- used by the authors of the orchestrating scenarios- during the gradual concretisation of the elements-use "competence equations". But each concretisation of an entity or action… modifies the downstream equations. The distributed agents following the equilibrium must (cooperatively) solve a chain of optimisation problems, in continuous redefinition.

Rosca I. Expansion of evolving distributing systems by recursive aggregation and production cascades
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Keywords: expansive distributed systems, recursive aggregation, microkernel architectures, phylogenetic production cascades, LORNET, TELOS
Abstract: I will expose some ideas from the conceptual architecture of the distributed system "TELOS", describing the concerns that led to them, along the MOT- ADISA- EXPLORA- ION- GEFO- LORNET project chain… The struggle between integrating applications and decomposing them in components- usable for recomposing systems with variable geometry… The prototyping of a resource controller supporting the aggregation by "fusion" of secondary resources (which wrap the primary ones)… The introduction of "functional" aggregation, binding resources to operations, tying processes modelling, orchestration and reproduction… The management of system evolution- with "meta functions"… The shift from structural composition to service concatenation, supported by a communication bus and "interface-agents" controlled by a kernel… The treatment of semantic inter-operability, using "knowledge domains"- as reference systems… To finally propose an evolving and plastic middleware, combining structural extension (by distribution, recursive aggregation and phylogentic production cascades) with segmentation- on administrative criteria

Rosca I. TELOS et la gestion des connaissances (version 3)
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Mots cles: distributed cognition, augmented social networks, knowledge management systems, competence conditions, evolution and equilibrum, semantic workflow mangement semantic indexation, computer supported explicative cooperation
Résumé: Cette trosième version de mon essai aurait du être englobée comme chapitre dans "Environnements informatisés et ressources numériques pour l'apprentissage" Monique Baron , Dominique Guin , Luc Trouche (ed.) Hermes- Lavoisier Mais finalement, pour des raisons penibles, mon chapitre n'a plus été publié.

Rosca I. Indexation sémantique et propagation du savoir (version 2)
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Résumé: J'ai dédié des longs efforts à comprendre et à modéliser le système (processus) de l'éducation distribuée, en me heurtant aux difficultés exposées dans ma thèse de doctorat. À part la description du phénomène, j'ai abordé son ingénierie, concevant des systèmes de support (TaxiNet, TELOS etc.) pour les acteurs impliqués dans la chaîne éducative- qui combinent l'assistance sémantique et instrumentale. Essayant de faciliter la propagation des "ondes de savoir", j'ai utilisé la "couche de connaissances" pour référencer toutes les composantes utilisées dans des "agrégations" (regroupements, intégrations, orchestrations): personnes, documents, et activités. J'ai organisé cette "intégration sémantique" - sur toute la gamme des stratégies de coopération - de l'utilisation libre des "dépôts de ressources pédagogiques" jusqu'à la coordination des opérations complexes par des "graphes de fonctions"- préétablies ou adaptables. J'ai prospecté des utilités intéressantes (l'intermédiation de l'association, de la communication et de la coopération pédagogique, automatismes de repérage et d'appareillement etc.) mettant en valeur des "synapses" télé - informatiques. J'ai mis en évidence des critères d'organisation des "repères sémantiques" (connaissances et compétences) facilitant l'explicitation et l'assistance de l'apprentissage. J'ai investigué ces problèmes en travaillant (avec Val Rosca) autour du prototype illustratif GEFO-TELOS. Extrayant les idées principales des démonstrations faites avec cet instrument, j'imagine ici un scénario futuriste, pour mettre en évidence la physiologie visée par ma recherche, déroulée sur la base de principes (critères) personnels- exposés laconiquement.

Rosca I Adaptability and cooperation on WWW: between quality of service and quality of instruction
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Keywords: Adaptability, quality of service, instructional design
Abstract: Inforced by Java, the Web permits the use of an hpermedia interactif document composed by an author and placed on a server. If the compatibility and the quality of service are ensured we can speaak about real instructional ubicuity.. But if it is not the case, the instructional application must contribute to the system's effort of adaptation. This requirement complicates the task of the instructional designer (the author of Web-coursware) and opens a new area of research. The application should accomodate to the station of the client, observe the fluctuations of the Quality of Service in presentational and instructional terms , facilitate the negociation between the users, the station and the net, and eventualy change the structure of presentation to make possible a new equilibrum point. Authoring such metamorphical instructional multimedia is not easy. In the case of the cooperatif learning, the instructor can facilitate the adaptation. This is a strong argument for hybride (synchronous and asynchronous ) instructional systems. To test this presumption and analyse more deeply the adapation mecansims, an implementation of a versatile coursware based on distributed simulation is in work . It will provide two instructional modalities :1. collaborative learning between consellor and apprentice working on an hyper-document 2. Individual learning on the same document, using sditionnaly adaptive futures to compensate the absence of the instructor.

Rosca I. L'écologie de l'explication
Résumé: En août 1999, j'ai soutenu à l'Université de Montréal une thèse de doctorat (http://www.iro.umontreal.ca/~rosca/index.htm) intitulée "Vers une vision systémique du processus de l'explication; récit d'une recherche sur l'intégration de la pédagogie, de l'ingénierie et de la modélisation". C'est le résultat de vingt ans d'observation , d'expérimentation et de recherche. Mon intervention résumera le plaidoyer proposée dans la thèse, repris dans une optique transdisciplinaire.

L'explication est un phénomène clé dans le métabolisme de l'individu et de l'humanité. La reproduction spirituelle complète le travail de la sexualité. La modification des rituels explicatifs a des effets profonds sur la condition humaine et peut dérégler le macro- métabolisme cognitif. Peut-on contrôler le développement technologique pour harmoniser la dynamique frénétique de l'univers extérieur avec l'inertie de la conscience distribuée immergée en dedans?
Le besoin d'une écologie de l'explication est pressant. Des espèces traditionnels d'explication sont en extinction tandis que des nouveaux rituels imposent des mutations arbitraires. Des malversations (dégénérescences) sont opérées au nom du "technologisme", du "productivisme", du "paradigmatisme" etc. L'art d'expliquer est étouffée par une "reproductibilité" médiocrisante. L'explication de qualité est mal reconnue, respectée et récompensée. La pathologie de l'explication n'est pas encore écrite.
Une compréhension profonde de l'acte explicatif serait donc nécessaire: mandat pour une science qui se dédie à l'explication de l'explication. Elle devrait refaire l'unité d'un phénomène qui a projeté trop d'images disparates dans le miroir d'une pléthore de disciplines. Elle devrait observer, comprendre et décrire plutôt que de se presser à utiliser, modifier et inventer. Elle combinerait les méthodologies utilisables pour représenter la complexité, sans l'éluder.
J'ai exploré quelques trames de cette éventuelle science: la dynamique et l'histoire du processus explicatif; la sérialisation et la recomposition discursive, la parallélisation graphique et le faisceau discursif; le dualisme cognitivisme- béhaviorisme, l'explication en cercle vicieux, par introspection et par narration etc.
L'essai de dresser une modélisation unitaire de l'explication s'est heurté à des difficultés importantes. Il ne me reste qu'à les expliquer dans l'espoir que la carte de ma perplexité pourrait aider ceux qui cherchent dans la même direction. C'est une contribution à la question plutôt qu'à la réponse.
Mais il y a dans mon étude une vision coagulée : l'explication est un processus de résonance bi- humaine, un "pas de deux"; la paire explicative lie le niveau individuel et social de l'explication; la consonance explicative et le moteur de la propagation des connaissances; elle a lieu même quand la communication des deux pôles est asynchrone, unidirectionnelle ou immergée dans une relation de groupe ; les pratiques qui dissolvent la cellule explicative au nom de "l'information", qui atomisent les discours humains pour composer des "discours" artificiels, qui évacuent l'aide d'un expert au nom de l'autonomie - mettent l'explication en péril.
Que peut-on faire si l'étude unitaire de l'explication est alourdi par l'explosion des disciplines, par la complexité du phénomène et par la frénésie économique? La rencontre avec le mouvement transdisciplinaire, me détermine de relancer le problème.