Authors: Tatiana Tekusova, Viktor Voss, Joern Kohlhammer

Abstract: In the economic and financial analysis domain a quick access to the right
information plays a major role. Using current systems, the search for and presentation of data is
very cumbersome. The data, mostly in form of time-series, is stored in various databases. In
order to retrieve the searched data, the analysts need to know where to search and sometimes
even the structure of the database and its coding. Then it is required to export the data, process
the data and create a chart to view the data. This might take time from tens of minutes to hours.
In our work we present a first prototype of an integrated search engine that takes as input a
natural language query and offers graphic and text output depending on the user task. The
system automatically identifies the time-series answers, types of graphical data presentation
and shows the results in a web browser and in Excel. The knowledge-based expert system uses
domain ontologies for extraction of economic terms in the search queries and specially built
data type taxonomy with user task and chart type ontologies for identification of graphic output.

Keywords: Semantic Data Retrieval, Search Result Visualization, Information Visualization,
Expert Systems, Economic and Financial Data, Time Series Visualization

Categories: H.3.1, H.5.2, H.5.m, J.4, M.6

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Authors: Joris Klerkx and Erik Duval

Abstract: In this paper, we present GlobeMash, a mashup web application that uses
standardized data formats like XML, JSON, LOM, SVG, CAM and protocols like SOAP,
HTTP, to enable users to access the repositories of the Global Learning Objects Brokered
Exchange (GLOBE) consortium. GlobeMash uses the Google Maps API to display the
repositories and results on a geographical map, the Timeline API of the SIMILE project and
the federated search layer of the GLOBE infrastructure. It enables users to query all the
repositories in GLOBE and to get an insight in their search history by visualizing the latter as a
combination of an extended tag-cloud and a synchronized timeline.

Keywords: Hypermedia systems, web-based services, AJAX, information visualization

Category: H3.3

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Authors: Ralf Klamma, Yiwei Cao, Marc Spaniol, Yan Leng

Abstract: In this paper, we introduce a so-called DyVT tool (Dynamic social network
Visualization Tool) to support spatiotemporal knowledge visualization and discovery in
dynamic social networks. The dynamic aspects of social networks refer to contextualized
information such as spatial, temporal as well as users’ personalized information. We also define
an XML-based target language incorporating emerging formats like DyNetML, KML, and
GraphML. It also provides means to express, store and interchange the dynamic aspects of
complex dynamic social network data. Based on this language, users can animate and
personalize spatiotemporal knowledge extracted from social network data like email threads or
blogs. In addition, a Java based graphical user interface is also available to enable nonexperienced
users to customize knowledge visualization easily. A mashup with Google maps
for spatiotemporal visualization is provided. With this tool spatiotemporal knowledge on an
IBM DB2 Mailing list database containing 69 mailing lists and 56389 mails altogether is well
explored.

Keywords: Dynamic social network, information visualization, spatiotemporal knowledge,
XML, GraphML, DyNetML, KML, interchange format, Google Map, animation

Categories: E.1, E.2, H.2.3, H.2.8, H.3.1, H.3.2, H.3.3, H.3.5, J.4

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Authors: Jeffrey Huang, Katerine Bielaczyc, Mark Meagher

Abstract: We believe there is great learning potential in education involving shared, studentgenerated
knowledge bases. However, it is not yet clear what architectures are most appropriate
for such shared knowledge bases in order to facilitate an effective exchange, collection,
organization, and sharing of knowledge. In this paper, we discuss the concepts of “liquid
ontologies,” to describe novel, dynamic structures for organizing, sharing and browsing
knowledge. Liquid ontologies are flexible knowledge structures that are created by, evolve
around and adapt to the learners’ interests and allow for a tighter coupling between the learners’
interests and the viewing and browsing structure of a knowledge sharing system. We present
the key ideas behind liquid ontologies, and discuss these characteristics within the context of
OpenD, a knowledge sharing environment we developed and its application in graduate courses
at a design school.

Keywords: Knowledge Building, Ontologies, Perspectives, Information Visualization

Categories: H.4.1, H.5.3

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Authors: Joris Klerkx, Katrien Verbert, Erik Duval

Abstract: In this paper we discuss an interactive visualization application that aims to visualize
a large repository of small reusable content components that were created by disaggregating
legacy content. The purpose of this decomposition is to produce content that can be
automatically reused in on-the-fly assemblies of new learning objects. The purpose of the
visualization application is to offer insight in the structure of the contents of the repository and
to enable access to them in an effective and efficient way.

Keywords: learning objects, reusability, learning object repositories, metadata, information
visualization

Categories: H.3.1, H.3.3, H.3.7

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Authors: Tanja Keller and Sigmar-Olaf Tergan

Abstract: Two fields of research are heavily interested in developing visualizations for helping
users coping with complex tasks and ill-structured subject matter resources: knowledge
visualization and information visualization. The goal of knowledge visualization is to assist
students in learning and problem solving by providing tools for fostering externalized
cognition. The goal of information visualization is to provide knowledge-based access to
information resources and help users in making sense of the resources they are looking for in
information retrieval. The contribution draws attention to digital concept maps as cognitive
tools which may provide a basis for the development of synergistic approaches that may help
visualizing, accessing, and managing both knowledge and information and foster resourcebased
learning.

Keywords: Knowledge Visualization, Information Visualization, external Representation,
external cognition, Concept Map, Synergy

Categories: I.3.6, E.1

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