CAPE 2.7 Adds Search Support

Following the introduction of powerful search engines, searching joined hyperlink-based browsing to form the two dominant use metaphors of the World Wide Web. Online learning designs, even when constructed as browsable hypermedia, seldom employ searching as an important element of the learning experience. With CAPE 2.7, we have provided infrastructure that allows authors to incorporate this capability into their learning designs.

Our first use of this infrastructure is in the ACT Online program, which provides course modules based on the STAR Legacy instructional design pattern. This inquiry cycle provides sets of learning resources and self-assessment questions anchored on an overarching challenge. The ACT Online search facility indexes these resources and questions so that they can be searched on demand by learners. The user interface of this facility, shown above, supports a "live search", where keywords and phrases are matched and returned as suggestions to assist the search. The interface returns search results on separated "Resources" and "Questions" tabs sorted by relevance with direct navigation to the content objects.

The new infrastructure provides services for indexing and searching that are accessed through the existing eLMS Platform Services at delivery time. Indexing services build up search indices and search services then support assisted retrieval by keywords and phrases.

The search infrastructure reflects our ongoing efforts to make online learning more indigenous to the web.