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Full-time PhD Studentship for 3 years starting a.s.a.p

Title of Proposed Research Project:
Web-Based Multimedia Interactive System to support  Open/Distance learning

The applicant should be a European resident and have some experience in
World-Wide Web programming and development. The applicant should normally
have 2:1 BSc honours in Computing, IT or other related areas. Applicants
with work experience are welcome to apply too.

the salary is £6,535 per annum.

We would like to start the project soon, please reply a.s.a.p.

** Main Aims and objectives of the Proposed Research:
1. Investigate the multifarious aspects of research within Hypermedia
Authoring and ODL (Open/Distance Learning) - from ethnographic studies to
the development of different systems and their technological foundation.
2. Investigate the application of CSCW (computer-supported co-operative
work), and HCI (Human Computer Interaction) for developing systems for
Open/Distance Learning of Hypermedia.
3. Identify and assess different case studies and systems, used or developed
in research labs and industry, that help authors communicate their design
and successfully produce usable hypermedia.
4. Propose a framework/model that supports hypermedia authoring for ODL.
5. Build a prototype system that implements the features covered in the
proposed model.
6. Evaluate the system.


** Area of Investigation and Method of Research:
Hypermedia constitutes a new authoring paradigm with its provision of
multimedia facilities and support of non-linear authoring.  It’s benefits
for authoring of Distance Learning material are increasingly being
recognised. Hypermedia Authoring for CAL, CBT (Computer Assisted Learning
and Training) and ODL (Open and Distance Learning) is a multi-disciplinary
area.   Artificial Intelligence, Human Computer Interaction, Knowledge
Modelling and Software Engineering can be exploited to produce effective
authoring systems for developing effective learning environments. This would
enhance the learning experiences of different learners and support teachers
in delivering knowledge.

The advent of the World Wide Web (WWW) impelled hypermedia to become global.
As most colleges and businesses are now hooked up to the Internet, and more
and more households have the facilities to go on-line, this opened up
education to everyone. Due to the openness nature of the WWW, i.e. learners
from different age groups, nationalities, backgrounds, skills, and
expectations are more and more seeking education. Therefore, there is a
pressing need to provide a good virtual learning environment that can cope
with the needs of these different learners and support tutors in delivering
their knowledge and experiences. Due to the multicultural (or
cross-cultural) nature of the WWW, theories and models from psychology,
sociology and HCI should be studied and implemented to system development.
The facilities for multilevel structuring and interaction provided by
hypermedia technology provoke the consideration for more complex document
structures and manipulation techniques. It is a well-known fact that
documents are often created by a group of authors, which is especially true
for large hypermedia documents. Also, in order to simulate a real learning
situation such as students completing a piece of coursework as a group, or
many teachers teaching the same subject, one requires a system that
facilitates group collaboration. So, issues dealing with the usability and
CSCW should be addressed too.

The aim of this research is to join the quest for the development of
innovative techniques for authoring hypermedia for Open/Distance Learning.
We aim to build a Web-based system that facilitates the provision of a
multimedia learning environment that is usable and interactive for
Open/Distance Learning.  Specifically, in building this system, we intend to
address important issues such as collaborative authoring (CSCW).

The project will involve an evaluation and further development of existing
learning systems/environments developed locally at the School, one of which
is generic and another is an
algebra learning environment, both from the pupil's and teacher's (author's)
point of view.


To arrange for an interview or informal Chat, please email Claude.
In the first instance, please send your CV (including three referees) by
email or post to the following address:

Dr Claude Ghaoui (email: [log in to unmask])
School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences
Liverpool John Moores University
Byrom street
Liverpool  L3 3AF
Tel# 0151 231 2276


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