Lifelong Learning Organisers: Requirements for Tools for Supporting Episodic and Semantic Learning

We propose Lifelong Learning Organisers (LLOs) as tools to support the capturing, organisation and retrieval of personal learning experiences, resources and notes, over a range of learning topics, at different times and places. The paper discusses general requirements for the design of LLOs based on findings from a diary-based study of everyday learning practice; and also based on the design and evaluation of KLeOS, a prototype LLO that supports learning projects, episodes and activities through the linking of learning content with semantic and episodic context. We suggest that LLOs should assist in capturing both the episodic and the semantic aspects of learning events, and should incorporate retrieval mechanisms that utilise both types of memory (i.e. episodic and semantic) to assist tracing back knowledge and resources. Issues for future research on LLOs are also discussed.