The ComBLA method: The application of domain analysis to the development of e-learning systems

Reusability is considered as one of the most important qualities of e-learning systems. Since reusability refers to prospective and future usage scenarios, it is difficult to manage and achieve per se; even though, past experiences and in-use systems may be used as a reference to identify reusable components and experiences. A well-known mechanism for identifying commonalities of the problem -and, as a consequence, for achieving reusability- is the Domain Analysis paradigm. Domain Analysis relies on the definition of an information model that compiles knowledge from different information sources in order to address the analysis of a new system in the domain. The application of Domain Analysis to a specific context, such as e-learning systems, requires explicit design artifacts that lead the domain-modeling process. This paper presents an approach, based on feature modeling, specially conceived to apply the Domain Analysis paradigm to the e-learning context.