Developing a Web-based Tutorial System For Physics Education

Over the past few years the Internet has given birth to a potential of transforming the educational process. Now information and activities can be accessed anytime and anywhere, taking information out of the formal class setting. Computer assisted instruction allows immediate feedback as well as increased accessibility. For this reason the concept of a textbook has begun to change. We are exploring how to make it easier for instructors to jump into this educational process by helping them with the construction of interactive content. First, we have created a set of reusable pieces that can be used universally. We have created multiple text sections, much like those found in a textbook, and have added different multimedia to enhance their effectiveness. This multimedia can range from graphics to java applications. We have also created a series of computer-graded questions that allow immediate feedback to both the student and the instructor. Next, we have created a method of assembling these pieces into web-based lessons and assignments. For the structural layout of this information we have developed a convenient XML-based coding scheme for representing our information in a database. This XML scheme is used in all categories: questions, text sections, grade sheets, and the lessons themselves. The XML coding allows us to scan through multiple files and folders to fin