The Essen Learning Model – a Multi-Level Development Model

The Essen Learning Model is a generic development model supporting development processes on three levels: development of curricula, learning sequences, and learning units. We focus on finding an adequate combination of didactical methods and educational technologies. Secondly, we focus on interoperability, reusability, and ease of use, using standards on the modeling level (ARIS), architecture level (LTSA, IMS), and implementation level (XML). The approach will enable educators, project managers, and authors to efficiently develop and implement Computer Supported Learning Environments. Introduction The Essen Learning Model is a development model to ensure the overall quality of the development process of learning environments on different levels. New technologies in the educational sector require a well planned and controlled development process. Our experience has shown weaknesses of current development models for the utilization of new technologies in the educational sector. The use of new technologies is often seen as a universal solution to all problems and challenges in the educational sector. Educational concepts like Virtual University, Multimedia, or Edutainment have gained an increased attention. Despite of extensive research efforts, many immature and unsuitable products and concepts can be found. Quality management is not yet a natural part of educational projects. The use of development models, originating from the field of software engineering, is a first step towards quality management and assurance. Nevertheless, several restrictions remain: software development models do not include didactical concepts adequately. Specific models for the development of hypermedia systems or CBTsystems require the selection of didactical methods before the start of the project. To overcome those weaknesses of most development models, a multilevel development model was designed, supporting educational processes on three levels: the design and implementation of curricula, learning sequences, and learning units. I present basic concepts of learning environments and the Learning Technology Systems Architecture which is the base for the development of learning environments. By following this standard architecture, systems implemented using the Essen Learning Model can easily be integrated and coupled with other systems, reducing the development effort significantly. Thereafter, I describe design principles and the levels of the Essen Learning Model together with a sample implementation for the development of a learning sequence on “Simulation”. Computer Supported Learning Environments Our development model is based on the Learning Technology Systems Architecture. I will briefly describe this standard and our implementation. Classification of CSLE According to (Euler,1992), Computer Supported Learning Environments might be classified into five classes: Drill & Practice Systems, Intelligent Tutoring Systems, Hypermedia Systems, Cognitive tools, and Simulations/Micro Worlds. Those criteria only describe trends of developments. They cannot be used for evaluating or selecting a certain learning environment. In contrast, the Essen Learning Model uses a detailed multi-dimensional classification including attributes like learning objectives, strategies, learning contents, temporal aspects, location, interaction, and users. Architectures of CSLE Concepts like the Virtual University or distance learning are based on the exchange and combination of courses and learning contents distributed world-wide. Unfortunately, the majority of learning environments and authoring systems do not use standardized methods in order to support exchange of materials or courses. This leads to an enormous number of isolated systems, not utilizing and being utilized by other systems. To overcome those weaknesses, several standardization projects have been started. The Essen Learning Model uses an implementation of the proposed standard architecture by the Learning Technology Standards Committee of IEEE. The Learning Technology Systems Architecture (LTSA) is an abstract model describing the architecture of learning environments (Fig. 1). It contains the following components: Processes describe the main subsystems of learning processes: Learner, Delivery, Evaluation, System Coach. Flows describe inand outputs of the processes: Behavior, Assessment, Performance, Query Index, Content Index, Locator Index, Learning Content, Multimedia, Learning Style. Finally Stores store relevant information: Records Database, Knowledge Library.