#. Web-Based Learning Environments: Tools and Engineering Issues

This chapter will address the development of Web-based multimedia learning applications using computerized tools and systematic techniques. They include software development, knowledge modeling, and information management methods and tools. In addition, navigation, interaction, adaptation, communication, and collaboration facilities are of concern. Software development and knowledge modeling tools allow authors of multimedia learning materials to design meaningful learning tasks and to explicate and organize the information and multimedia content learners need to construct subject knowledge. Well-designed navigation facilities let learners explore an information space at their own pace and orientation. Interaction facilities provide learners with opportunities for experimentation, contextdependent feedback, and constructive problem solving. Adaptation mechanisms render it possible to select, organize and present information depending on predefined user profile settings or through monitoring of user behavior and diagnosis of learning status. Asynchronous and synchronous communication and collaboration facilities help to bridge geographical distance between teachers and students. They also allow peer students to form a distributed project group or learning community and work together over a distance. Research on Web-based learning environments is still at its infancy and far from mature. The following discussion will therefore be biased and selective. It will put emphasis on issues that lie in the intersection of software engineering and knowledge engineering, including domain modeling, adaptation and adaptivity of learning environments, and synchronous collaboration.