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A Conceptual View of Web-Based E-Learning Systems

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Abstract

Starting from a general framework for web-based e-learning systems that is based on an abstraction layer model, this paper presents a conceptual modelling approach, which captures the modelling of learners, the modelling of courses, the personalisation of courses, and the management of data in e-learning systems. Courses are modelled by outline graphs, which are further refined by some form of process algebra. The linguistic analysis of word fields referring to an application domain helps to set up these course outlines. Learners are modelled by classifying value combinations for their characteristic properties. Each learner type gives rise to intentions as well as rights and obligations in using a learning system. Intentions can be formalised as postconditions, while rights and obligations lead to deontic constraints. The intentions can be used for the personalisation of the learning system to a learner type. Finally, the management of data in an e-learning system is approached on two different levels dealing with the content of individual learning units and the integrated content of the whole system, respectively. This leads to supporting databases and views defined on them.

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Correspondence to Klaus-Dieter Schewe.

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Schewe, KD., Thalheim, B., Binemann-Zdanowicz, A. et al. A Conceptual View of Web-Based E-Learning Systems. Educ Inf Technol 10, 83–110 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-005-6749-2

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