KBS-HYPERBOOK - An Open Hyperbook System for Education

Educators are currently investing much effort into the conversion of their textbooks and lectures into hypertext documents. Within our KBS Virtual Classroom project, we have recently developed a data-base oriented method for systematically designing such hyperbooks. However, converting theoretical material into a hyperbook is only the first step towards a modern, project-oriented, computer-supported learning environment. To realise such an environment, the static course materials (regardless whether they are printed textbooks or hyperbooks) should be replaced by an open hypermedia information system, to which both the educators and the students contribute. In this spirit we have redesigned our hyperbook modeling technique to make it suitable for both capturing theoretical lecture material and providing a structure for the student projects.