An extended model for interactive learning systems

Our main interest consists in developing a concept to formalize interactive learning systems (ILS). The development of such a formalism has been motivated by different learning systems which were produced in our department. These systems were developed for commercial application as well as for lectures held at our university. In computer science there are some formal methods available for creating an abstract representation of interactive systems. In the late 1980s and early 1990s there were a large amount of publications in this special field, but only a few techniques have been left over. One approach is the model-based Vienna Development Method. A representation according to VDM specifies all data objects, defined as nodes, structures and networks as well as the different operations on them. A standard specification language is available (VDM-SL). We decided to use this method as a starting point for further developments. Our work shows that it is possible to build an abstract model for modern interactive learning systems which is able to support the development process and the maintenance of the system by formal means.