WEB BASED VIRTUAL CLASSROOM SYSTEM MODEL FOR TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS

Abstract

There has been growing interest nationwide about the persistent decline in the quality of our education in Nigeria, an indication that the current teaching and learning approaches in use in our institutions have failed. The current teaching/learning system in our tertiary institutions is grossly inadequate. The number of students enrolling in various academic programmes in our tertiary institutions has continued to grow without a proportionate improvement in learning infrastructure. A learning environment model that provides equal opportunities for all categories of learners in our tertiary institutions irrespective of their learning style, disposition and aptitude has therefore become inevitable. Based on our findings, a mathematical model Web-based Virtual Classroom system (WebVCS) was developed to provide a viable medium through which sound teaching and learning can be offered by tertiary institutions that can carter for varieties of learners - those who are unable to attend school due to treatment for chronic illnesses; who are at risk for educational failure due to intermittent school attendance and those who for one reason or the other are not disposed to attend lectures regularly. Our system is designed based on active learning approach (Constructivist-Cognitivist learning approach), incorporating e-pedagogy that supports varied learning styles and learning strategies through fostering of collaboration among participants in the web-based Virtual learning environment. Instructor, course, student and learning performance formed the major objects used in developing our system model. The design consists of eight modules – Peer module, Interface (peer & instructor), Learning, Instructor, Evaluation, Collaborative tool (MediaCenter), Student group, Database module and Administrative module. Features of our system model include course outline, presentation, resources, assessment/opinion poll, chat, hands-up, students’ list, course info, and collaborate, all harnessed to achieve experiential learning among students. The logical design of the WebVCS is modeled with the UML and has an architecture composed of backend engine (based on MySQL server database engine) on Apache web server with PHP as the frontend engine. A case study of year one (NCE1) students of Computer Science in the Department of Computer Science, Federal College of Education Kano was selected using course materials in different courses. Furthermore, a comparative analysis of our web-based virtual classroom system (webVCS) with other web based virtual classroom systems (Blackboard, Adobe Acrobat Connect Professional, ElluminateLive) was carried out using the metrics – Desired Features/Functionality. The results obtained were validated and analyzed to determine the efficiency and effectiveness of the system developed