Integrating a software engineering approach and instructional factors in instructional software development--illustrated by a prototype in theoretical computer science

摘要

This dissertation is a multi-disciplinary study, which integrates a software engineeringapproach with instructional factors in the decision-making, analysis, design and developmentprocesses of instructional software. Software engineering models, tools and representationsare used in the process of software construction. With reference to the fundamentalcharacteristics of the software product, several disciplines and factors, from both instructionaland computing perspectives are considered, and the most appropriate approach/es selected.Software engineering, instructional design and instructional theory are considered as pillarsof courseware engineering.The object-oriented design paradigm and a prototyping life-cycle model are found to be mostsuitable for development of computer-aided instruction. The conceptual study is illustratedby prototype development of a component-based multi-activity practice environment intheoretical Computer Science. It offers perusal or practice, in various instructional modes,according to the user's preferred learning style or need.