Semantic Search in LeActiveMath
Abstract:
Abstract. The web, as we experience it nowadays, is heavily based on
search engines such as Google or Yahoo!. These engines are the essential
step to discover web-content that would, otherwise, only be available
after too many clicks. The field of computer-science which serves as their
theoretical basis is information retrieval. However, the main focus of
information retrieval is on textual content, that is words and sentences.
Little research has been done, however, both in terms of research or tools,
for information retrieval regarding mathematical content on the web as
can be seen, for example, in the overview of Robert Miner at the
workshop Enhancing the Searching of Mathematics.
In this article, we present work done for the LeActiveMath learning
environment which stores and presents semantically encoded mathematical
content. We have adapted information retrieval techniques to this
semantic content in order to offer to learners reasonably tolerant searchability
for text, metadata, and formulæ. Our efforts follow information
retrieval principles stating the essential needs for fast response and easy
query inputs.
Published:
Web Advanced Learning Technologies - WebALT 2006, online