Software Engineering in E-Learning Systems

Regarding the role of software engineering in the development of different types of e-learning systems, a traditional situation is contrasted with a modern state of the art. Traditionally, these systems, especially the intelligent tutoring systems (ITS) or artificial intelligence in education systems (AIED), are developed as research projects (Harrer & Martens, 2006). This means a comparably small group of people is involved in system development; the systems are developed with a research focus and not with respect to reusability, maintenance, robustness, or extensibility. The systems usually are not sold or used over long periods of time. In recent years, e-learning systems have reached maturity. Several e-learning systems are available as software products. They have left the stage of pure research and can now be found in relation with the buzzwords “everyday and lifelong learning.” In particular generic e-learning systems, in contrast to the more research oriented ITS, are nowadays often developed based on software engineering techniques. The lack of usage of software engineering in research oriented e-learning systems has led to a situation where the resulting systems can hardly be compared, and communication about the existing systems is difficult. Even if a common agreement about the underlying system architecture exists, for example, the classical ITS architecture (Clancey, 1984; Martens, 2003) or the learning technology system architecture (LTSA) (Farance & Tonkel, 2001), system components usually can not be reused (for an analysis see e.g., Martens, 2004). E-learning projects often reinvent the wheel. The extension of existing research oriented e-learning software and its further development (potentially beyond pure research) seldom takes place; surprisingly, as one characteristic of software is its malleability. Why it is important to use software engineering in e-learning system development—especially in research oriented e-learning—and which methods can be used will be highlighted in this article.