User Interfaces for a Virtual Learning Environment: Two Study Cases

Krassen Stefanov (1) , Darina Dicheva (2) , Roumen Nikolov (2) , Ivanka Djakova (3)

1 Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics [Sofia]
2 CIST - Centre of Information Society Technologies
3 Faculty of Economics and Business Administration,

A recent powerful idea in the design of Web-based learning environments is the usage of virtual places. The employment of interface metaphors is one of the approaches enabling inexperienced users to feel comfortable in such virtual environments. We have designed a Virtual Environment for Distance Education and Training (VEDET), which provides basic virtual spaces, resources, and services. In this paper we discuss the user interface of two Web-based distance learning courses Business on the Internet and Business English, developed on the basis of VEDET. A web-based learning environment has been implemented to support the delivery of these courses. Two examples of interface metaphors have been developed and adopted, each presenting a coherent image of the environment.

Domains: Computer Science [cs]; Technology for Human Learning

Krassen Stefanov, Darina Dicheva, Roumen Nikolov, Ivanka Djakova. User Interfaces for a Virtual Learning Environment: Two Study Cases. Education and Information Technologies, 1998, 3, pp.307-319. ⟨hal-00190358⟩