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

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_1157053261.vsdUse-Case Model

Analysis Model

Design Model

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Test Model

Deployment Model

1. Requirement capture and Analysis Phase

2. Design Phase

3. ImplementationPhase

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_1157316364.vsdComponent of Distance Learning System

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Learning Resource

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Student

Teacher

Administrator

Lecture Notes

Exercise in virtual Lab

Distance testing

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journal

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Web browser

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NetMeeting

Chat