PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Conceived by Professor Richard C. Larson, Guided Learning Pathways (GLP) is a system that generates learning pathways through a non-linear learning space from start to finish of an academic course. Although the learning pathways are suggested to students based on their profiles, students can select her or his preferred path and pedagogical method to achieve their desired learning objectives. Each learning pathway is populated with reusable content, with an emphasis on Open Educational Resources (OERs), but not necessarily limited to only open content. Since the open content and non-open content are increasing dramatically, the GLP system will become vital for learners who need a navigator to show appropriate pathways to the desired learning objectives.

PROJECT OBJECTIVE

The main project objective is to research and develop a model of socio-technical system that helps students navigate through a non-linear learning space.

PROTOTYPE FEATURES

Limitless Learning Space: Since the learning space can be larger than the display screen, the current GLP system is designed to let users to glide around the learning space by treating the entire computer screen as a moving window through which the users look concepts in the limitless learning space.

• Nested-Concept Excavation: Because small concepts can be encapsulated in a bigger concept (For instance, the concept of Calculus and that of Vector can be encapsulated in the concept of Math), the current GLP system can recursively peel off unknown layers of a nested concept.

Seamless VDO Integration: The GLP system allows users to watch interesting VDO lectures and glide around the learning space at once. The feature offers a seamless learning experience without interruptions.

PROTOTYPE IMPLEMENTATION

To enrich user experience, I use Adobe Flash and Adobe Flash Builder to develop a highly interactive user interface for the GLP system. A nice and clean user interface not only increases software usability but also leads to a flat learning curve of the users.

PROJECT CONTRIBUTION

Relevant Literature Review; Software Modeling and Conceptualization; Graphic Design; User Interface Design; Data Object Design; Software Prototyping; Documentation

PROJECT CREDITS

Prof. Richard Larson - Principal Investigator

Tetsuro Takahashi - Team Member

Hamid Salim - Team Member

PROJECT ARTIFACTS

Project Demo