Title: Reengineering of educational material: a systematic approach

Authors: Victor Pankratius, Gottfried Vossen

Addresses: AIFB Institute, University of Karlsruhe, D-76128 Karlsruhe, Germany. ' ERCIS, University of Munster, D-48149 Munster, Germany

Abstract: In electronic learning, keeping learning material up-to-date is a recurring problem. In the past, this has mostly been done manually, with a frequent consequence that material becomes outdated since manual updates are neither systematic nor applied often enough. In this paper, we take a software engineering perspective on the problem of updating learning material for electronic platforms, and show how reengineering can help in this context. Specifically, we present a reference model for an e-learning reengineering process, and cast this model into the architecture of a component and configuration management system. Finally, we indicate how the approach can be exploited by showing an example, and outlining a global reuse strategy for educational material using software product lines.

Keywords: e-learning reengineering; maintenance; learning objects; workflow management; configuration management; software product lines; electronic learning; online learning; software engineering; updating learning material; educational material; reuse; packaging learning content; up-to-date learning material.

DOI: 10.1504/IJKL.2005.007758

International Journal of Knowledge and Learning, 2005 Vol.1 No.3, pp.229 - 248

Published online: 15 Sep 2005 *

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