On the Web, learners are allowed to investigate any question in open-ended and unstructured space where they can navigate numerous Web resources to learn in a self-directed way. Knowledge about the question learned as the outcome of such Web-based investigative learning is not unique nor pre-defined. It would be dependent on their own investigation. How to systematically promote learning from such question without unique/pre-defined promising outcome is one of challenging issues in research on learning and educational technology. This paper introduces a novel approach to this, in which we have designed a model of Web-based investigative learning and a cognitive tool for learners to learn as modelled. Such model and tool make it possible to follow self-directed investigative learning process, which could also provide adaptive awareness of learning outcome created by learners and learning skill development.

The group 1 in the map working group plays a leading role to discuss an iSE map for JSiSE internal member as target users. The purpose of this paper was (1) sharing discussion process of constructing the iSE map, and (2) providing readers with starting points of knowledge systematization for studies in JSiSE. This paper tries to assemble some concepts used by studies in JSiSE from a perspective of JSiSE editorial board. The assembling is not entirely correct and just getting underway in a long journey. In the near future, we plan to build JSiSE research ontology. Therefore, we strongly aspire to discuss with other subgroups and readers.

This commentary article discusses research of information and systems in education as problem solving for learning and educational situations by information and systems, and proposes the map representation of research focusing on interaction in learning and educational activities based on the definition. The Japanese society for Information on Educational Systems is a broad field of research that covers a variety of systems related to education and learning. Therefore, it is not easy to grasp the position of individual research on this field. We considered what this research field is exploring from the perspective of the education and learning situations. As the result, we obtained the design of a map that locates various research on this research field based on the viewpoint of “interaction” in learning and educational situations. A brief verification and example of use of this map will be described.

In this paper, we examined how a map for information and systems in education should be designed for users who are not engaged in research activities at JSiSE, such as those in business and industry, teachers in public education, researchers in other fields, and learners. We proposed several images of the map, assuming that the map would be drawn based on the users' interests. We also discussed the data structure that would enable the creation of the maps we proposed. Based on these ideas, we plan to develop maps that will promote dialogue to generate further questions by connecting research questions in this field to the interests of people other than JSiSE researchers.