The 3DE custom course compiler: an engine to assemble custom web courses

The educational results of web courses can be improved through the development of modules customized for the requirements and needs of each learner. This task becomes feasible only if automated tools for course compilation are available; such tools are developed in the 3DE project. The core of the 3DE system is the Custom Course Compiler: it assembles micromodules in courses, taking into account the learning style and other parameters of each student. By using a library of micromodules worked out specifically for different learning styles, the Custom Course Compiler is able to assemble different versions of a course, customized for each learner. The paper describes the design, the development, and the structure of the Course Compiler, the connection with the micromodule database, and the underlying pedagogical organization. The operation of the compiler is based on metadata used to classify content and pedagogical parameters of learning units. The design environment includes tools to facilitate the cooperation among several authors, working on similar contents but with different teaching styles, the reuse of existing material, and the verification of the prerequisite-con tents chain.