WIZ-dynamic web-based course presentation system

Abstract

The educational potential of the World-Wide-Web is clear. It provides not only a means of communication, but, just as importantly, a means for storing and conveniently accessing a massive amount of information. Such characteristics make it an ideal platform for distance education. One limitation however is the fi.xed nature of the web itself, making guidance and individualized presentation difficult. This thesis presents a project, the WIZ s3'stem, aimed at overcoming this problem. The WIZ system is a dynamic hypermedia system that presents interactive courses over the Internet. It monitors the progress of each student in order to provide a presentation that best matches the individual. Students have the freedom to browse the course material but can return back to the guided presentation by simply clicking on a button. In addition, the WIZ s'stem exploits the communication (newsgroup and email) facilities of the Internet in order to provide a collaborative discussion environment for courses. WIZ employs sound educational design and software engineering principles to generate affordable, individualized, interactive distance education, independent of time and location.