SBIR Phase I: Personal-Knowledge-Management eLearning System

Taxonomize, Cupertino CA

Investigators

Abstract

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will aid, support, and encourage eLearning students and instructors to find the best matches for their purposes in each other's skills, and to find the best knowledge and program resources to suit their immediate, particular needs. The software automatically extracts taxonomies from textual materials, which then allows those materials to be cross-referenced automatically. Taxonomize thus will provide extensible and low-cost eLearning support software, which is based on knowledge management (KM) capabilities, rather than attaching KM as an added feature. For example, an advanced auto-categorization engine will provide content management to help students find the best resources of tutors and workgroups to match their immediate needs. Current customers are colleges seeking economical ways to meet increasing demands for a popular international tutoring program. The research program, "PerK," will enable this expansion at costs far below current market. Ultimately the goal is to disseminate PerK capabilities into the full eLearning market, with target functionality and at lower cost than other current eLearning providers.