International Scientific Conference18 19 November 2004,
GABROVO
A Strategy for Realization of Distance Learning System
dr Ruica Stankovi
dr Ranko Popovi
Advanced Business School Kosovo Polje
Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Pritina
(Blace)
(Kosovska Mitrovica) mr Nenad Jovanovi Suzana Markovi Ivan
StankoviAdvanced Business School Kosovo Polje Advanced Business
School Kosovo Polje Advanced Business School Kosovo Polje
AbstractWith the fast development of computer networks, people
can access information and communicate with others without being
constrained by space and time. Through network communications,
people can discuss things with others to solve their problems.
Therefore, how to implement systems for distance learning on
computer networks becomes an interesting and challenging issue.
Using UML and Java, we have worked out a requirement specification,
design and implementation of the web-based learning system for
teaching and learning Computer Science.In this paper, we present
our work that describes the suggestion for solving a problem of
distance learning.Keywords: e-learning, distance
learning.INTRODUCTION The rapid development of the Internet
technologies, especially the evolution of World Wide Web has led to
growth in opportunities to teach and learn outside of the
traditional classroom-based education. The overall purpose of all
kinds of distance education is to give and receive education and to
establish some kind of two-way communication between the teachers
and the students [1].The problem domain of distance education
system is not simple and involves many concepts such as course
instructors, students, course materials, learning activities, etc.
These concepts are also closely related to determine the structure
of the system. [2]Therefore there is a need to model learning
processes to support the effective employment of appropriate
learning objects. Each process should be analyzed in detail and
modeled using a modeling language such as UML. In our project, we
used object-oriented techniques Java programming language and UML
through the requirement capture and analysis, design, and
implementation in the development of a distance leaning
system.overview of EXISTING DISTANCE LEARNING systemsOverview of
mostly used distance learning systems is presented below:Microsoft
Class Server [3] - Learning Management Platform is powerful Web
enabled software designed for schools to empower teachers and
improve learning for all students. It provides a complete solution
for school administrators, teachers, students and their parents.
The entire system is divided into four interfaces. These interfaces
allow the student, teacher or administrator access to the features
and information required to accomplish their tasks.
This software package also involves parents. Microsoft Class
Server allows parents to actively participate in their childs
education. Private, secure access to their childs lessons,
assignments, completed and graded work, teachers comments, etc.It
enables multiple authentication options which mean easier
administration.The basic window of Teacher interface is presented
on Figure 1. Figure 1. An overview of the screen MS Class Server -
TeacherCisco Interactive Mentor is a Cisco product which is
consists of [4]:CIM User Interface - All courses share common user
interface elements that include: an easy to use menu system, icons,
clear topology diagrams, and pop quizzes.
CIM Simulation Environment Labs - Reinforce learning from each
module with hands on exercises. Each lab is equipped with audio and
written instruction that takes student through configuration tasks
to troubleshooting using a Java-based, internetworking simulation
environment.Module Assessments - test students understanding on
concepts presented in each module (Figure 2).
Figure 2. CIM TestGuide - CIM is equipped with movie guides on
how to best use CIM and make student learning experience more
effective.
On the basis of analyze existing distance learning systems we
developed own model which is presented in the following
text.MODELING and Realization OF Distance Learning System
Following UML closely, e-learning processes can be developed in
4 phases as illustrated below. In each phase, models with different
artifacts are produced.
Figure 3. The Phases in the e-learning ProcessRequirement
Specification (Requirement Capture and Analysis): In this phase,
the major purpose is to capture the requirements of the client to a
system and to create a use-case model and a conceptual model.
Design: This phase aims to create the interaction diagrams for
the system operations and the design class diagrams.
Implementation: This is a process for mapping the artifacts
created in the design stage to a code in real programming
language.All these models are related and represent the e-learning
system as a whole. Elements in one model have trace dependencies
backwards and forwards with the help of links to other models. The
final representation of all the models would be the architecture of
the entire system.
Below are the basic steps undertaken in the requirement capture
and analysis phase.
1. Identify the use case
Several use case diagrams can be noticed in the system. One of
them will be Use Case where Student is an actor.
2. Detail the Use Case (Figure 4)
Figure 4. Use Case Diagram by the Student actor
The functions and requirements of the all use case diagrams are
documented in order to give description to the use case.
3. Conceptual Model: The creation of concepts is the most
essential object-oriented step in analysis in investigation of the
problem domain for building extensible software with reuse. The aim
of this step is decomposition of the problem into individual
concepts or objects.
There are a lot of concepts in this system such as: Student,
Teacher, Course, Lesson, Testing, Administrator, etc. A concept is
represented by a class with a given name.
A major task of the system design phase is to create the
interaction diagrams for the system operations: collaboration
diagram and object sequence diagram.
The final goal of an object-oriented development of a system is
the creation of code in an object-oriented programming language. In
our project, we used Java programming language. The artifacts
created in the design phase provide the information necessary in
order to generate the code. Implementation in an object-oriented
programming language requires writing source code class definitions
and method definition. For this, we basically defined classes with
methods and simple attributes, add reference attributes, and
defined methods from collaboration diagrams.
All mentioned diagrams of our system are depicted and documented
by Rational Rose tool.
Our distance learning system is composed of following components
(Figure 5).
Figure 5. The Components of the distance Learning System
The entire system is divided into three interfaces. These
interfaces allow the student, teacher or administrator access to
the features and information required to accomplish their tasks.
Each interface is created dynamically following a successful login.
The interface is created for the specific user incorporating that
specific users name and each of them contains two or three panels.
The home page, the login and verify login feature are common to all
three interfaces.The distance learning system should be enabling to
students:
access to instruction content on Computer Science through web
browser, (Figure 6)
Figure 6. Access to Virtual Classroom- scheduling of adaptive
courseoffering for the registered courses,
- sequencing of learning content into learning lectures (Figure
7),
Figure 7. The Learning Content
- learning lectures need to have lecture descriptions and
explanation, graphs, pictures, animations, etc,- fast and exact
delivery of course - offering several instructional components such
as, quiz (questions/answers), examinations, exercises in virtual
Lab, simulator [6] (Figure 8, Figure 9).
Figure 8. Virtual Laboratory
- and delivery message between teachers and students (or between
students) through communication environment such as e-mail,
NetMeeting, chat, or submitting by web browser.
Figure 9. Simulator - The Main WindowThe testing features are
designed to support and encourage accurate, context sensitive
feedback. Distance testing (Figure 10) include: authorized access
to system,
on-line student s testing,
the tests are in form of questions offering multiple answers,
where student select answer,
automated reports and marks.
Figure 10. The process of testingOur project also includes
selection of optimal places as a center of distance education of
our school. This software packet (Figure 11) is made in .NET
technology (ASP.NET web application is done in C#) [5].
Figure 11. The multi criteria optimizationCONCLUSION In this
paper is presented a way to model a distance learning system. Using
UML and Java, we have worked out a requirement specification,
design and implementation of the web-based learning system for
teaching and learning Computer Science. We have concentrated on
lessons, examination and exercises in virtual laboratory. Proposed
model can be applied for simulation and visualization in real time
environment. The technical recommendations for future development
describe adaptive learning environments where the system responds
to the learner and actively seeks new content and evaluation
material, based on the students demonstrated proficiency and
needs.
This system is not intended to be a stand alone system, but
instead is dependent on both the technical and academic
infrastructure provided by an Institution of Higher
Education..REFERENCES [1]Choe Sun Yong, Zhiming Liu, Apply
Object-Orientation and UML to the Development of Web-based Learning
System, UNU/IIST (United Nations University International Institute
for Software Technology) Report No. 274, March 2003.[2]R.C.Clark,
R.E.Mayer, e-Learning and the Science of Instruction, John Wiley
& Sons, Inc, 2003[3]www.microsoft.com/ClassServer[4]
www.cisco.com[5] Mr Ruica Stankovi , dr Ranko Popovi , mr Nenad
Jovanovi, in. Ivan Stankovi, E-Learning on Advanced business school
of Blace, X Conference on Technology, Culture and Development,
Herceg Novi, september 2003.[6] dr Ranko Popovi , mr Nenad
Jovanovi, An Web Based Computer Networks Simulator, International
Conference InfoFest, Budva 2004.Editor
Manager
Monitor
Kontrole
_1157053261.vsdUse-Case Model
Analysis Model
Design Model
ImplementationModel
Test Model
Deployment Model
1. Requirement capture and Analysis Phase
2. Design Phase
3. ImplementationPhase
4. TestPhase
_1157316364.vsdComponent of Distance Learning System
Person Resource
Learning Resource
Communication Environment
Learning Component
Other Materials
Student
Teacher
Administrator
Lecture Notes
Exercise in virtual Lab
Distance testing
eBook
journal
Multimedia disc
Web browser
eMail
NetMeeting
Chat