Abstract

In order to perform a multi-aspect analysis of the progress and results of discussions, an instructor must obtain various information from asynchronous discussion forums. An instructor spends a lot of time and effort to perform this work. However, often this does not lead to desired results. A computer-mediated approach to provision of instructor with various information from asynchronous discussion forums is being suggested. This approach adapts information extraction from forums to information requirements of an instructor. The approach assumes sequential performance of the following major functions: presentation of instructor’s information demand in a simplified format; building of forum’s structure in accordance with information demand of the instructor; reduction of forum’s structure by means of the most suitable algorithm; presentation of forum’s extracts to the instructor. The approach is based on adaptation of forum structure to the changes in instructor’s demands. It means that building of forum structure of a certain granularity level and the choice of a structure reduction algorithm are performed according to an information demand of the instructor. As a result, each extract corresponds to an instructor’s information demand. Fragments of an extract can be taken out from one or several forums and can be presented on several granularity levels. The results of information extraction depend on changes in instructor information demands. The proposed approach is a constructive basis for development of an intelligent tool for adaptive extraction of information.