Managing the data in electronic learning systems

Web-based electronic learning systems provide one of the most exciting areas in research with a huge practical impact. However, as these systems are also examples of data-intensive systems, it is astounding how little emphasis is put onto the management of data in these systems. In this article, we present a two-level approach to data modeling in e-learning systems. We suggest modeling a global database level, in which the collection of data of the whole system is modeled in a way that follows the guidelines of good database design. On top of this level we model learning units as extended views. The use of views allows a system modeler to separate course content from underlying database structures. The extension of the learning units by operations models system functionality. Further extensions permit adaptivity to various learner types and end-devices.