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Projectoutline Mendori
Projectoutline Mendori
face-to-face instruction
Project Leader:
MENDORI Takahiko, Dr. Eng.
Assistant Professor, Information Systems Engineering
Introduction
e-Learning activities designed to supplement classroom instruction have the potential to enrich
learning, but lack of faculty experience in developing and managing digital material often weakens
the promises of online learning. Selecting the appropriate content management system for faculty
can significantly improve user experience, but it is often a challenge to choose a system that has both
the robustness to accomplish complex tasks and the simplicity to satisfy novice users. Educational
institutions must also consider a system's ability to accommodate different learning environments,
teaching styles, and student needs.
Purpose
The purpose of this research project is twofold. First, a series of tests will be conducted on the user
interfaces of leading open source and commercial content management systems to determine which
aspects pose problems for both content developers and learners. Experiments will be conducted to
improve upon the user interface. Using these findings, the researchers will decide to either modify an
existing content management system or develop a new system that addresses instructors' and
students' needs.
Second, the researchers will form a development and training team aimed at creating study
content to support basic technical English, mathematics and computer skills. The team will also try
to establish efficient methods for training instructors to create, upload and edit course material.
Project Outline
The research period will be three years (2006-2008). One or two new SSP students will be accepted
for this project.
All SSP students are expected to be able to write first-rate research papers for established English-
language journals, to pass a preliminary assessment for their doctoral dissertations at the end of the
second academic year and to pass a final doctoral defense of their dissertation at the end of the third
academic year. Since SSP status is only available for a three-year period, all of the above must be
completed in the three-year period of study.