E-Learning Module for Software Project Management

Abstract

Due to the penetration of ICT into variety of sectors, the manpower requirement in the Information Technology sector cannot only be fulfilled only through the internal Degree programs. UCSC is the only institute in Sri Lanka providing External Degree program for Information Technology. To meet the challenges of increased demand for the BIT course the potential of ICT can be used. This report describes how the researcher approached to develop E-Learning content for a collaborative learning environment in order to improve the quality of the teaching and learning using the developments in ICT in the modern world. Developing interactive educational software for the fourth semester students of the External BIT degree program based on Software Project Management module (IT 4302) is carried out in this project.

The objectives of this project are as mentioned below. • Identify the deficiencies in the exiting content and changes of the syllabus. • Identify the methodologies suitable to minimize those deficiencies for an online course material. • Develop the interactive learning material in lightweight content using multimedia technologies to be used in LMS. • Evaluate the effectiveness of the developed content.

The product of this project will be used as self learning software to be published on Learning Management System developed using MOODLE open source software. The software was developed as SCORM compatible lightweight interactive content. Thorough understanding of the concepts of developing interactive learning software is obtained through the literature review.

E-Learning aims to provide the right learning content to its target audience at appropriate times and places, using a diversity of media. To make the right decisions understanding the functional, organizational and technical requirements in detail is an important step in the E-Learning software development process. E-Learning requirements analysis contains the analysis of trainee requirements, authoring requirements, delivery requirements, organizational requirements and technical requirements. The progress management is one of the important concepts in software development process. Designing and development are the next steps carried out in this software development process based on the requirement analysis. Testing is carried out considering both pedagogical and technological requirements. Evaluation is one of the important steps to identify the drawbacks success and failures of the project and to consider the future enhancement to this courseware. The last chapter in this dissertation gives the concluding ideas on this project. The developer of this courseware could gain the knowledge on various aspects of E-learning.