A tool to develop electronic course books based on WWW technologies, resources and usability criteria

ABSTRACT

An electronic course book (ECB in short) is a learning module consisting of hyperdocuments with a functional use of interactivity and multimedia, presented on the WWW and/or CDROM [1]. In this paper we propose an ECB producer application, which can assist any author in the development of an ECB based on WWW usability criteria and which presents a collection of several multimedia elements which can enhance the process of learning and which differentiate an electronic course book from a classical paper book. The ECB, which represents an electronic form of classroom support, will turn out to be useful both to teachers, since they will take advantage of the slide-based presentation of the text and of the several simulation tools included in the ECB, and to students, since they will be able to learn by reading, by doing and by answering.

REFERENCES

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.3 COMPUTERS AND EDUCATION
      K.3.1 Computer Uses in Education

Additional Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.4 Hypertext/Hypermedia

  K. Computing Milieux
  K.3 COMPUTERS AND EDUCATION
      K.3.2 Computer and Information Science Education

General Terms:
Design, Documentation, Experimentation, Human Factors

Keywords:
Java, WWW, electronic course book, teaching material and aids