A General Approach to E-Learning Software Development

With the rapid advancement of computing technology, the paradigm of learning has been changed from the classroom environment to the web environment. The support software for e-learning is key to implementing such a web-based learning paradigm. In this paper, a general approach to construct an elearning software system is proposed and described. The approach is based on an analogy between e-learning and mass customization product design. In the case of mass customization product design, customers can participate in a product design and realization process regardless of temporal and spatial restrictions. In the case of e-learning, learners can access a virtual teaching center at any time and at any place. This analogy has further led us to exploit fruitful developments in computer software for mass customization, in particular, a so called web-based configuration design system through the constraint satisfaction problem (CSP) approach. This paper discusses both conceptual development and implementation. An illustration is given for implementation.