Content Management in Web Based Education

Based on the newest information and communication technology all the needs of modern educational systems can be met for the first time in one tool and one medium: the computer and the internet. Computer based solutions provide the technological support necessary for the whole teaching and learning process. The greatest advantage is the possible combination of all usable instruments, their flexibility and configurability. With new technologies and new media types it will be possible to support all kinds of training, self-study and continuing education in local or global networks over the web. It is clear that these new methods and technologies require new methods and solutions for the tasks content creation, delivery and archiving in education. Especially the use of new media sets high requirements on these tasks. This article describes how content management systems, a technology already used in other kinds of business, can support these tasks in web based education. After an introduction a definition of content management is given and refined for the area of web based education. Next the main building blocks and features of content management systems are described and the improvements for web based education are highlighted. Finally content management is embedded in the learning workflow.