Development of a Web-based Distance Learning Environment Using Database

Development of a Web-based Distance Learning Environment Using Database


ABSTRACT

For many years, instructors from different levels of education have used
various techniques to educate students from remote locations. With declining budgets
for education, many are turning towards technology as a means to reduce time, cost
and teaching resources needed to educate students. This has produced a rapid increase
in the number of distance learning initiatives on both federal and state level education
systems.
The increase in distance learning can be attributed to the growing popularity
of the Internet. This global network of computers has become the communication
medium of choice for distance learning as it offers several distinct advantages over
other methods of delivery.

This thesis presents a research in the development of an online learning
environment using web-based databases, which was developed at the Engineering
Media Laboratory (EML). This asynchronous learning environment was created to
facilitate K-12, vocational teachers and students use of multimedia elements and
multimedia development tools to create interactive content for use in their courses at
their respective schools.
The online learning environment named “Electronic Media Education for
Teachers” or EMET, is made possible through a grant from the Hitachi Foundation.
EMET is a three-year project that began in January 2000, and is a joint collaboration
between the College of Engineering and the College of Education at the University of
Oklahoma.


The scope of this research extends to both the building of the front-end web
site and the back-end database of the learning environment. Specifically, this scope
covers the building of the prototype underlying structure of EMET, which is the
major development goal of the first of the allocated three years.
In the development of EMET, the latest Internet technologies were used.
Among these technologies are the relational database management system (RDBMS)
and the server-side scripting technology that is used to provide functionality to the
front-end website from the back-end RDBMS system. Similar applications are used
commonly in online electronic retailing and procurement to organize and track the
presence of clients. This thesis will present to a certain degree, a growing trend in
education that blurs the lines distinguishing traditional academic institutions webbased
offerings and corporate training web sites.
The design and development of the back-end database system incorporates
user tracking and logging historical data for future analysis. The creation of
educational content for EMET will also be covered, with emphasis of the
development and integration of the simulation tutorials to the back-end database.
In addition, this research demonstrates how hardware and server-based
components and software can be utilized to develop and broadcast EMET to the
world. A recommendation for future research is also presented.

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