Abstract: E-learning storyboards have been a useful approach in distance learning development to support interaction between instructional designers and subject-matter experts. Current works show that researchers are focusing on different approaches for use in storyboards, and there is less emphasis on the effect of design and process difficulties faced by instructional designers and subject-matter experts. This study explores problem aspects of the cognitive task and the skills required of subject-matter experts by applying a cognitive task analysis approach from the expert point of view. The result shows that subject-matter experts face difficulties in making decisions on three elements during e-learning course development. The three elements are storyboard templates, prescriptive interactive components, and review process. It is found that the representation skills and decision making of the three elements allows subject-matter experts to decide on alternatives of the task process. The result also indicates that it is important to leverage the design and process skills of subject-matter experts as it affects their interaction with instructional designers. Three recommendations are made: training development, prescriptive interactive components development, and interaction design document development. A new framework can be recommended to train subject-matter experts as e-learning storyboard users, and in turn provide for effective interaction between them and instructional designers. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Abstract: Abstract This research targets persistency by introducing new features in ‘Chatsistance’, xD;a persistent chat tool that employs speech act theory and an explicit referencing technique xD;to structure the chat log, and by providing further options for retrieving information. Earlier xD;theory is related to the linguistics and characteristics of user statements. The later technique xD;shows the relation of artefacts in an interconnected context named ‘explicit referencing’. xD;Although speech actswere previously used in the field of chat, it is the first time that this theory xD;has been used for the purpose of enhancing persistency combined with an explicit referencing xD;technique,which together provide awell-established structure that provides greater flexibility xD;for the analysis of content. In this paper, we show how this structuring approach could be xD;useful, by evaluating the results of previous experiments that have used Chatsistance.
Abstract: Advances in component-oriented software development research have led, among others, to the birth of a large number of component models, which has caused difficulties to the software developers in selecting the suitable component models to be used. To overcome the difficulties, a framework for component model selection is proposed in this study. The framework allows software developer to specify the criteria of the component model that they would like to use and recommends the component model(s) that fits most of the criteria. An application of the framework shows that it has the potential to be used by the software developers in determining the suitable component models.
Abstract: The presence of a large number of component models has caused some difficulties in selecting suitable component models to be used, either for research purpose or for software development purpose. Lack of framework or standard that can be used to guide the process of selecting suitable component models is believed to be one of the reasons that have caused the difficulties. Therefore, in this article, the need for a component model selection framework is justified. The selection framework can be applied by the software developers to help them determine suitable component models to be used in their software development projects. Possible contributions of the framework to the research and software development industry communities are also identified. These are achieved by examining the current state of component models usage in both research and software development industry communities, which are obtained from a number of related resources found from exhaustive literature search.
Abstract: The presence of a large number of component models to date should be able to offer software developers a wide variety of component models - which they can easily choose from - for their software development projects. However, the opposite situation is currently observed, where the presence of many component models has caused difficulties in making the selection. Lack of properties or characteristics that can be used as a basis to perform objective comparison between the existing models is believed to have caused the difficulties. In this paper, a list of component model properties is derived by thoroughly examining the available component model definitions. Results from a comparative analysis performed on six component models using the properties show that the properties enable a more objective comparison between the existing component models to be performed.
Abstract: Win-Win is one of the most common models which help systems stakeholders resolve conflicts during system Requirements Negotiation (RN). Solving conflicts, however, is barely dependent on visualizing the negotiation itself The Zest algorithm was invented to visualize a standard e-mail discussion and demonstrate a concise overview of the discussion to facilitate a more productive one. This research sought to use this algorithm in visualizing the RN process in groupware. We have formulated a conceptual diagram on which to base the design and development process of the groupware for implementing the Zest algorithm. Our implementation of the algorithm has later been enhanced to produce more types of visualizations in relation to RN.
Abstract: Developing correct requirements for any application is vital for the success of the application in any field. Computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL) has becoming an important tool for enabling collaborative learning (CL) in education. In Malaysia for instance CSCL has been chosen to be a technology enabler to support Smart School project whereby CL has been identified as one of its learning strategies (MOE, 1997). However, the project will not come true if the lacking of CSCL application is not overcome. The situation is more acute as the existing applications are not only general in nature but yet to exhibit collaborative characteristics. This problem is due to many reasons. From the software engineering point of view, first and foremost, the problem is introduced during the elicitation of users needs. A survey carried out by the author had been identified that users are not the first people consulted by courseware developers in eliciting requirements. Furthermore, the courseware developers have no support in carrying out requirements elicitation activity. In conjunction to this, a review was also carried out in requirements elicitation techniques and process. Many methods have been identified and implemented to support requirements elicitation activity. Most of them are group-based, which support the cooperativeness of the requirements elicitation activity. However, the existent of these tools are not recognized in the Malaysian context. Due to this, a new requirements elicitation tool using Focus Group Discussion (FGD) technique is developed based on the survey done and the literature survey carried out. The tool is called FGD-RElicit stands for Focus Group Discussion technique in Requirements Elicitation. This paper focuses on the development of FGD-RElicit from its technique used in supporting elicitation, analysis model, design and architecture. Results of evaluation by the users are also included the paper is wrapped up.
Abstract: Problem statement: A study was conducted to investigate the current state of software development practice in Malaysia with regard to Component Oriented Software Development (COSD). The objectives of the study were to identify its potential application in Malaysia and to determine research areas that can be explored further to promote its application. Approach: Information required for the study was obtained through a survey, questionnaires were distributed to the software developers who are working at various software development companies in Malaysia. Software developers were generally divided into two categories; component users and non-component users. Information on current practices in software development, current practices of the component users, problems faced by the component users in applying COSD and reasons that hinder the non-component users from applying COSD was sought. Results: Results showed that current practice of software development in Malaysia is inclined towards software reuse, which is in line with the aim of COSD. Even though the component users face problems in applying COSD, they still believe that COSD is a better approach to develop software and majority of them will continue to apply COSD. The non-component users also believe that COSD is a better approach to develop software and majority of them will apply COSD in their future software development projects. Conclusion: Study concluded that the potential of COSD application amongst the software developers in Malaysia is high. List of COSD research areas formulated from the study can serve as a basis for the researchers to pursue research in this area that will further increase the potential.
Abstract: Abstract: Word problem solving is one of the most challenging tasks in mathematics for most students. It requires the solver to translate the problem into the language of mathematics, where we use symbols for mathematical operations and for numbers whether known or unknown. From a study conducted on Malaysian school students, it was found that majority of them did not write their solution to the word problem using correct mathematical language. Intrapersonal and interpersonal communications are important in mathematics learning especially in word problem solving. It is therefore the main aim of this paper is to present a model that promotes the use of mathematical language. The model is used as a basis in designing a computer-based learning environment for word problem solving. The cognitive tool named MINDA which incorporates several important necessary steps and activities was developed to facilitate learning. From the experimental analysis conducted on using MINDA, it was found that the mathematical communication and their word problem solving achievement of students have improved.
Abstract: Reviewing on computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL) tools revealed that CSCL is important to support collaborative learning (CL) strategy in school. Existing CSCL applications are mostly research-based and are not available for use. Through a survey on the needs for CSCL in Malaysia, it is confirmed that CSCL application is needed but the available one could not support CL activities. This paper discusses CSCL study in Malaysia, especially the relationship between user involvement and type of CSCL application needed. In particular, the CSCL application that could associate existing knowledge among students to build new knowledge for their better understanding and problem solving skills. We examine this need and assess its impact by developing Collaborative Environment for Teaching and Learning System (CETLs).
Abstract: This research presents the outcomes of a study performed with the aim of identifying the issues affecting the application of Component-Oriented Software Development (COSD) amongst the software developers, which consist of those who use components in their software development and those who do not. The information required in the form of problems faced in using components, factors affecting the use of components and reasons for not using components in software development was obtained through questionnaires distribution amongst the software developers in Malaysia. The information gathered was used to determine the issues that affect the application of COSD. These issues are presented in a cause-effect diagram and categorised into technical, managerial and ethical. It serves as the basis for the derivation of a list of possible research areas that can be explored by the researchers in this field. Each research area is then linked to the issues that it solves. This is to ensure that the research area of choice will optimally contribute to the development of COSD in order to promote COSD application amongst the software developers.
Abstract: process model that is clear and easy to be understood and hence, applied. It is motivated by the fact that even though many CBSD process models have been proposed, a clear and step-by-step guidance is still lacking. They vary from one another and some are even complicated and difficult to be applied. The MyCL process model is therefore derived by retaining the strengths and overcoming the impracticality causes of these existing CBSD process models. Evaluation of the model, which was carried out by interviewing the experts in this field has shown that this model has a good potential to be applied by software developers, especially those who are new to CBSD.
Abstract: We have reviewed the existing web-based distance-learning systems and have performed a research survey among the undergraduate distance-learning students and lecturers of the Open University Malaysia (OUM). Here we report the findings that emerged from both investigations. The main focus was to elicit specifications for a web-based distance-learning system from the main users of a distance-learning program (i.e. the actual lecturers and students). The features compiled from the existing systems were used as a checklist for them to specify their needs and preferences of the features, at the same time giving them the opportunity to specify any other features that they required for a web-based distance-learning system. This revealed a list of required functions together with their preference ratings and a list of non-functional requirements, specified by the lecturers and students. The analysis of the investigations also discovered those features which were important to the students and lecturers but were not well supported by the existing systems. Research efforts towards implementing these less-supported features are suggested.
Abstract: Abstract: The efficient management of experience knowledge is vital in today’s knowledge-based economy. This paper is concerned with developing a software experience management tool as an organisational memory subsystem. The tool aims to support Knowledge Management (KM) and Organisational Learning (OL) activities in a typical software organisation. It is specifically targeted to capture the pearls of tacit knowledge in the form of Knowledge Asset (K-Asset), which only surface as the outcome of collaborative analysis and refinement of the captured knowledge. The prototype tool is based on the framework for collaborative organisational learning we developed in previous research.
Abstract: User interface design is a part of what users can see, touch, hear and communicate with. To produce software applications that are good, effective and high usability in terms of interface design, the involvement of users are needed in system development especially when designing for children. Almost all of the software applications designed for children are developed by adults based on what they assume children want. As a result, the application may not be easily learned or used by children. There are three goals of this research 1) to know children’s abilities and skills in computer usage; 2) to know their problems with the existing kits; and 3) suitable designs for them. This paper describes the prototype of web page construction kit for children as a case study. The requirements are based on interviews with children, analysis of the existing tools and analysis of homepages created by children. The design of the prototype has also been evaluated in order to determine whether or not it is suitable and fulfils the children’s requirements. As a conclusion, this paper reveals a few questions that need to be considered in designing children’s software.
Abstract: Abstract: The evolution of courseware in schools with its various attributes, strengths and limitations are increasing. The situation in Malaysian context is not widely known. Particularly with the government effort in implementing the smart school project, the readiness among school teachers would play important role. This paper focuses on the evolution of courseware in schools in general and discusses its attributes, strengths and limitations. Then, the paper presents the details of the survey on collaborative learning carried out among school teachers. The important issues that will be investigated include. the awareness of CL activities, the awareness of using CSCL applications, the teachers involvement in CSCL application development, the CL main and CL success factors.
Abstract: The efficient management of experience knowledge is vital in today’s knowledge-based economy. This paper is concerned with proposing a model for software experience knowledge. The model is aimed to represent the backend of knowledge management tools that support organisational learning activities in a typical software organisation. Generic knowledge models have failed to produce good quality software experience management tools. The diversity in the types and forms of software experience knowledge makes it necessary to establish customised knowledge models to effectively accommodate such domain-specific knowledge. Our model extends the simple generic knowledge models that usually rely on non parameterised knowledge (i.e. free text) or that just reflect certain types of software experience knowledge (tacit or explicit). In contrast, our model aims to strike a delicate balance between explicit and tacit knowledge that in a way act as correlated information sources.
Abstract: Usability is one of the major factors that determines the successfulness of a website. It is important therefore to xD;have certain measurement methods to assess the usability of websites. The methods could be used to help website xD;designers make their websites more usable. This research focuses on website usability issues and implements a tool xD;for evaluating the usability of websites, called WEBUSE (WEBsite USability Evaluation Tool). Based on literature xD;research, a 24-question evaluation questionnaire has been formulated. The questionnaire is implemented as a Webbased xD;tool. Visitors’ of a website can use it to evaluate the usability of the website. The visitors’ responses to the xD;questionnaire are analysed. The results of the analysis show the good and bad usability aspects of the website. xD;Website designers and developers can improve their websites based on these results. WEBUSE is suitable for the xD;evaluation of all types of websites. Evaluation provided by WEBUSE is reliable and has received favourable user xD;satisfaction and acceptance.
Abstract: ABSTRACT: Requirements elicitation has been studied in Software Engineering field to acquire as many requirements as possible for the development of an application including Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL). These requirements are gathered using many requirements elicitation techniques such as discussions, interviews and meetings. These user requirements are recorded in a documentation called draft of user requirements document (URD). The paper suggests that development of an application should be based on complete draft of URD. The complete of URD depends on several requirements elicitation factors. The paper investigates requirements elicitation factors from several aspects namely tools, time, techniques, people, communications, processes and documents. The study discusses these factors which provides insights for devising group requirements elicitation tool, which allows the user involvement to support requirements elicitation activity. We hoped that the tool can be an effective aid of requirements elicitation activity that will produce complete draft of URD.
