OntoLiFLOSS: Ontology for Learning Processes in {FLOSS} Communities

Free/Libre Open Source Software (FLOSS) communities are considered an example of commons-based peer-production models where groups of participants work together to achieve projects of common purpose. In these settings, many occurring activities can be documented and have established them as learning environments. As knowledge exchange is proved to occur in FLOSS, the dynamic and free nature of participation poses a great challenge in understanding activities pertaining to Learning Processes. In this paper we raise this question and propose an ontology (called OntoLiFLOSS) in order to define terms and concepts that can explain learning activities taking place in these communities. The objective of this endeavor is to define in the simplest possible way a common definition of concepts and activities that can guide the identification of learning processes taking place among FLOSS members in any of the standard repositories such as mailing list, SVN, bug trackers and even discussion forums.