Design of Attractive Virtual Spaces for E-Learning

The work in progress described in this paper extends previous work on the construction and testing of virtual communications spaces for use in creating attractive Internet/Web-based environments for e-learning. The spaces created, or, more precisely, the underlying Internet/Webbased systems that support these spaces, are related to human factors via utility. Once again, the MCOTS ("massmarket components off-the-shelf") approach is favoured, that is, standard, easily available, off-the-shelf equipment is used for the experimental tests. The fundamental objective of the previous work: remains, namely: to build e-learning environments that are “attractive” to students and that will assist in the recruiting and maintaining of new student clientele. Initial formal definitions of the concepts of virtual (communications) spaces and “attractiv”e are given.