Interoperable e-learning ontologies using model correspondences

Abstract

Despite the fact that ontologies are a good idea for interoperation, existing e-Learning systems use different ontologies for describing their resources. Consequently, exchanging resources between systems as well as searching appropriate ones from several sources is still a problem. We propose the concept of correspondences in addition to metadata standards. Correspondences specify relationships between ontologies that can be used to bridge their heterogeneity. We show how we use them for building evolvable federated information systems on e-Learning resources in the World Wide Web. Beside this integration scenario, we also describe other interoperation scenarios where correspondences can be useful. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2005.