Advances in Web Based Learning - ICWL 2009: 8th International Conference, Aachen, Germany, August 19-21, 2009, Proceedings

To praise oneself is sure a fault; yet who That does aught good escapes it? If he feigns In those his words no whit, and all be true, The good for ever good remains. Book of Ill Humor West-Eastern Divan, by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (Translation by Edward Dowden) ICWL is an annual international conference series on Web-based learning that has so far been held in Asia, Australia and Europe. This series represents the cooperationofEuropeanandAsianresearcherstoadvancethe?eldofWeb-based learning. Numerous joint research papers and joint projects have emerged from the successful track record of ICWL. We have chosen a short quotation of the West-EasternDivan by JohannWolfgang von Goethe to expressthe spirit of the conference series establishing a stable bridge of researchbetween the continents. This year's conference location was a perfect symbol of this spirit. The 8th ICWL 2009 was held in Germany's westernmost located and truly European city Aachen. At the borders with Belgium and The Netherlands, it is within convenient reach of European centers like Brussels, Cologne, Paris and London. Initshistory,AachenwasthecapitalofCharlemagne,perhapsthe?rstEuropean emperor, and the place of coronation for the medieval Holy Roman Emperors following him. From its beginnings as a bathing resort of hot springs established sinceRomantimes,AachenwasalsoameetingpointoftheEastandtheWest.As acityofpilgrimage,knowledgefromtheEastfounditswayontheancientroutes and Western ideas traveled in the other direction. Exactly these old traditions are revitalized in papers collected in this proceedings volume.