Thesis (Ph. D.)--George Mason University, 2007. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed Jan. 18, 2008). Thesis director: Priscilla Norton. Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Education. Vita: p. 205-211. Includes bibliographical references (p. 187-204). Also available in print.

The rapidly increasing expansion of the Internet has brought dramatic impact to our life and education alike. The major feature differentiates e-learning from the traditional learning is its ability to train anyone, anytime, and anywhere attributed to the Internet. Many experts tell us that e-learning will plays the key-enabling role in knowledge management for individual, schools, and enterprise. Nevertheless, the lack of standard in courseware and learning management system (LMSs) makes courseware in different LMS platforms can not be exchanged directly, and there is no way to monitor and evaluate learner¡¦s behavior from one platform to another. And there are LMS platforms do not provide the effective protection mechanism for courseware in the LMS platforms; this will let an unauthorized user can retrieve courseware as well as he knows the correct URL in the LMS. In this thesis, in order to overcome those hurdles, we refer to the e-learning standard, called Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM), to enhance this feature on our existing LMS platform. And we propose an effective courseware access control mechanism which implement at the kernel of the web server.

The e-Learning issues have been discussed and investigated recent years. People can learn on the Internet and feel more comfortable. But in the e-Learning environment, we discovered the learners might have some troubles in learning. They may encounter disorientation, cognitive overloading and learner control. Using some teaching methods or strategies from teachers can reduce these problems. So the Learning Management System (LMS) must have some mechanisms to accomplish these purposes. This thesis is trying to design a learning path control mechanisms that can help teachers to achieve their teaching goals and help learner to build their learning paths. The learning path control mechanisms are designed with Pre_Condition and Post_Condition. By using these mechanisms, teachers can control the learner¡¦s studying progress and guide learners to the suitable ways. And solving the issues of designing the learning path control mechanisms and user navigation. These mechanisms proposed conform to the e-Learning specification: The Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) and used the Learning Object and the Run-Time Environment. Finally, this thesis developed a system not only provide the mechanisms but also help teachers to achieve their teaching goals and learners to establish their learning path.

Approved for public release; distribution in unlimited. / The thesis research examines the emergence of Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) architecture currently under development by the Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) initiative established by the Department of Defense (DoD). SCORM is a collection of specifications adapted from multiple sources to provide a comprehensive suite of E-Learning capabilities that enable interoperability, accessibility, and reusability of Web-based learning content. To understand better the implementation issues of SCORM architecture, the authors analyze all versions of SCORM to understand the evolution of this emerging architecture. It contrasts the evolving requirements for shareable content objects with concerns of copyright issues. The authors address development and implementation issues surrounding the maturation of SCORM architecture and the ADL initiative. The authors recommend that DoD, international, and civilian business partners join in improving E-Learning by embracing technology, such as SCORM, that allows for shareable content objects to be used and reused within civilian and military education and training Learning Management Systems (LMS) across the World Wide Web. / Lieutenant Commander, United States Navy / Lieutenant, United States Naval Reserve

Approved for public release, distribution is unlimited / This thesis critically analyzes the Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) within higher education and examines SCORM's limitations within a realistic application environment versus within a theoretical/conceptual platform. The thesis also examines environments better suited for implementation of SCORM technology. In addressing the research questions, it was discovered that from the current standards set forth by Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL), SCORM is not well suited for higher education. SCORM technology will prove of greater utility within the Navy Training environment than in higher education. In their effort to share information, higher education institutions would benefit more from a Content Management System in conjunction with a Learning Management System. Subsequent chapters addressed the limitations of SCORM, provided a comparison of the applicability of SCORM within the separate domains of naval Education and Training, and provided a prototype of a Content Management System for institutions of higher learning. / Lieutenant Commander, Hellenic Navy / Lieutenant, United States Naval Reserve