A map-based visualization tool to support tutors in e-learning 2.0

Web 2.0 regards essentially the social issues about the new usage of Web applications, but participative Web and user generated contents induce a new way to think about the design of the Web applications themselves. This is particularly true in the field of educational systems that are all Web based applications. Many researchers are now devoted to study what is called e-learning 2.0 both as regards the technological issues in the field of computer science, and in relation to the impact of the web 2.0 social and psychological issues on the education process itself. One of the most crucial topics in e-learning 2.0 is the way to provide support to the teacher/tutor to avoid cognitive overload when he/she is monitoring the evolution group dynamics inside the class, and decides the proper strategies to ensure the pursuit of the learning goals. Map visualization is a good way to present information without cognitive overload. We present a map-based tool in support of the tutor that is an extension of our ITS called TutorJ. The tool allows a human tutor to have multiple map visualizations about the domain of the course, the social (forum-based) interaction between the students, and the amount of topics faced by each student. The paper reports a detailed description of the architecture of the tool, and a discussion about its relevance in the field of e-learning 2.0.