User-oriented Operational Interface for Virtual Learning Environment

In this paper, we propose the operational interface which changes windows’ sizes and locations dynamically according to the student’s intention and preference. Students’ tasks are executed by manipulating appropriate data through specific windows. Moreover, some tasks are correlated with each other. If windows that students want to use are allocated in an accessible place, students do not have a burden to manipulate the windows. In order to represent student’s intention and preference of performing the task, logical window network is generated. Logical window network represents the student’s interest for each task and windows that are used for accomplish the task. In the logical window network, nodes correspond to windows/tasks and links show relations among nodes. When a student changes the active window, the system detects its related windows based on the logical window network and rearranges windows in the interface automatically, in order for the student to access the interesting window easily. In this paper, the mechanism of constructing a logical window network is described. Also, the effectiveness of proposed interface is shown based on the experimental results using the prototype system.