Open Educational Topic Maps: A Text-Oriented Perspective

Abstract

This article makes the case for a text-oriented approach to the creation and presentation of open Topic Maps based information architectures for e-learning. More specifically, it argues that importance should be attached to the communicative aspects of such architectures, in particular consistency, cohesion and coherence. The article further suggests that one way of keeping this aim in focus is to work with standardized text modules as communication vehicles. To exemplify more concretely the role that standardized text might play, two specific sets of tools for modular text production are briefly discussed, namely CNXML and Structured Writing. Finally, it is demonstrated how a descriptive framework such as Rhetorical Structure Theory may be used to support the analysis, design and creation of communicative structures in open educational Topic Maps architectures.