A Project Proposal

1. “Development of e-learning/online teaching material for the MCA course of Indian Universities”

2. A Project Proposal • (For Ministry of HRD. Govt. of India under National Mission on Education through ICT) Submitted To: • Ministry of HRD. Govt. of India, New Delhi

3. Dr. Rafiqul Zaman Khan(Principal Investigator)(Reader) Department of Computer Science Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh rzkhan.cs@amu.ac.in rzk32@yahoo.co.in Home page: http://www.drrafiq.orghttp://www.ccse.kfupm.edu.sa/~rafiq

4. Dr. Ubaidullah Bokhari (Co- Investigator) (Reader) Department of Computer Science Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh • Mr. S. Maheshwari (Member) (Reader & Chairman) Department of Computer Science Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh • Mr. Suhail Mustajab (Member) (Lecturer (SG)) Department of Computer Science Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh

5. Abstract • This document proposes a project whose goal is to develop world class e-learning/online teaching material for the MCA courses of Indian Universities, which will enhance teaching and learning process of the Indian Universities through the use of information technology and multi media services. • As a pilot project first we will develop e-learning teaching material for the “Algorithm and Data Structures” course of MCA degree program of Indian Universities. • After successful completion of pilot project we are interested to develop world class e-learning/online teaching material for the following more courses of MCA degree program of Indian Universities: • Programming and problem solving using C. • Object Oriented Programming using JAVA • Unix and Shell programming. • Object Oriented Programming using C++. • Operating Systems. • Programming languages theory and concepts. • We are planning to develop generalize course material so that it can fit with MCA syllabus of all Indian Universities so that it can be utilized by students of our all Indian Universities. • PI of this project has very good experience of developing excellent e-learning course contents of Computer Science courses of different foreign universities (You may please visit: http://www.drrafiq.org/http://www.ccse.kfupm.edu.sa/~rafiq )

6. Introduction • In this age of Information it is very essential that faculty should be exposed to a wide range of learning environments and technologies so they may use the best practices and select the best tools for educating. • The Delors Report [Delors1996] published by UNESCO's International Commission on Education underlines the need for students with a strong capacity for learning assisted by the new information and communications technologies. A UNISEF [UNISEF1998] study shows global teacher shortage, so using technology-aided education provides a solution of growing instructor shortage. Hall [Hall1995] proposed that in the long run, multimedia saves time and money because training can be delivered simultaneously to larger audiences at multiple sites. • Using technology to supplement conventional teaching has many advantages. As students followed the hypertext connections in multimedia, they moved through various components of a concept, with their own pace, and are able to make connections among them. The accompanying audio and visual presentations reinforced the concepts. • The national Mission on Education through Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has been envisaged as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme to leverage the potential of ICT, in teaching and learning process for the benefit of all the learners in Higher Education Institutions in any time any where mode. This is expected to be a major intervention in enhancing the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in Higher Education by 5 percent points during the XI Five Year Plan Period. • To full fill dream of Ministry of HRD Govt. of India for “National Mission Education Through ICT” we are planning to develop excellent world class e-learning/online course content for the MCA degree program of Indian Universities.

7. Objectives • Following are the objective of proposed project. • Development of world class e-leaning/online Lecture/Lab teaching material /course content MCA degree program of Indian Universities. • Development of knowledge modules having the right content to take care of the aspirations of academic community and to address to the personalized needs of the learners. • Standardization and quality assurance of e-contents to make them world class. • Making available of e-learning contents, free of cost to Indians. • To provide support for the creation of Virtual Technological University. • To make learning available anytime, anywhere. • To provide good supporting teaching/learning material with traditional class room teaching. • To reduce learning coast.

8. Methodology Previous section describes the objectives of the project. This section briefly describes the methodology/methodologies we are intended to use to achieve each objective. For the development of e-learning teaching material we will select appropriate Authoring Systems, which can support text, graphics, audio/video, animation etc. List of some authoring systems is given below: The above-mentioned tools have been identified as leading authoring systems in the market [SoftwareDigest1996]

9. We are intended to select proper Authoring Systems on following basis: In order to develop world class online/e-learning lecture/lab teaching material we will use software engineering approach, this includes requirements analysis, design, implementation, integration, testing, operations and maintenance. The team of this project has experience of developing online courses. During this e-learning/online course preparation project we strongly feel a need of multimedia lab that can facilitate the production of course material.

10. For the development of our e-learning/online teaching material we will followfollowing steps of software engineering: • Requirement collection and analysis: We will study what are requirements of developing an e-learning course? How to collect and analyze these requirements? We will make requirement analysis for audience and course content point of view. During analysis, we will identify the learning problem, the goals and objectives, the audience’s needs, existing knowledge, and any other relevant characteristics.  Analysis also considers the learning environment, any constraints, the delivery options, and the timeline for the project • Specification: The specification refers to listing requirements in a complete, unambiguous, minimal, measurable way. Specifications serve as the basis of design validation. Using a case study of an e-learning course we will provide specification of an e-learning course. • Design: Design is the high level model of the system, which is elaborated using charts/tables and data flow diagram. Using a case study of an e-learning/online course we will elaborate the design of an e-learning/online course. Design phage is an systematic process of specifying learning objectives.  Detailed storyboards and prototypes are often made, and the look and feel, graphic design, user-interface and content is determined here

11. Implementation: Implementation requires selection of suitable Authoring System. List of well known Authoring Systems described above. We will implement our design phage using one or more Authoring Systems. The actual creation (production) of the content and e-learning materials will be based on the Design phase. • Integration: We will provide details how to integrate different components of an online course. • Testing: In this part we will show how to test the online course system. After implementation, the effectiveness of the e-learning training materials we be evaluated. • Operation and Maintenance: Once an online course has been developed it has to be operated and maintained in a proper way. We will highlight the details of operation and maintenanceof an online course. For the maintenance/upgradation of e-learning material we will collect feed back from users.

12. 6. Management Plan6.1 Responsibilities of Principal & Co- Investigator. • Managing project activities, schedule, time frame etc. • Providing guidelines to prepare world class e-learning/online course contents. • Providing guidelines to study the development, maintenance and operation process of online courses. • Monitor progress of project. • Arrange weekly meetings with team members and monitor progress of the project. • Submission of Project.

13. 6.2 Responsibilities of Members • Using software engineering approach preparation of detailed plan for the development project. • Installation of Authoring Systems and other multimedia tools required for the development of the project. • Collection of MCA syllabus of different Indian Universities and on the basis of it preparation of generalized syllabus. • Preparation/development of e-learning/online teaching material. • Successful completion of project. • Preparing reports. • The team of the project comprised of highly qualified members. They have the experience of managing and working on online courses [You may visit:http://www.drrafiq.org, http://www.ccse.kfupm.edu.sa/~rafiqwebsites of Principal Investigator of this proposed project]. There will be close coordination between team members during the project. Regular meeting will be held to review the progress. After completion of every task there will review and report preparation about that task. • In the Schedule/Time frame section, schedule of tasks is mentioned. The schedule will be followed.

14. 7. Schedule/time frame • Task1: To set up lab for the development of e-learning course contents: Task1.1: Purchase of necessary equipments/software for multimedia lab. • Task1.2: Installation of authoring software and other equipments. • Task1.3: Appointments of Research Assistants. • Task 2: Study development, maintenance of e-learning course matearial. Task2.1: Study Requirement collection and analysis phase • Task2.2: Study Specification phase. • Task2.3: Study Design phase. • Task2.4: Study Implementation phase. • Task2.5: Study Integration phase. • Task2.6: Study Testing phase. • Task2.7: Study Deployment phase. • Task2.8: Study Operation and Maintenance phase. • Task2.9: Review and preparing report

15. Task 3: Actual development of e-learning course contents of Algorithm and Data Structures course (Pilot Project) based on specifications specified in design phage. • Task3.1: Collection of MCA syllabus of different Indian Universities. • Task3.2: Formation of generalize syllabus • Task3.3: Development of e-learning course based on generalize syllabus of Algorithm and Data Structures course (Pilot Project) so that it can be used by our all Indian Universities. • Task 4: • Task4.1: Review all the tasks. • Task4.2: Preparing final report.

16. Estimated time for the pilot project:

17. As a pilot project first we will develop e-learning teaching material for the “Algorithm and Data Structures” course of MCA degree program of Indian Universities and it will take 06 months for the successful completion of the pilot project (as estimated above). • After successful completion of pilot project we are planning to develop e-learning course contents for the following more courses of MCA degree program and each of the courses will take 05 months (because Task 1 is not needed for other courses) time for the completion of development of course contents. • Algorithm and Data Structures (pilot project : 09 months) • Programming and problem solving using C. (05 Months) • Object Oriented Programming using JAVA (05 months) • Unix and Shell programming. (05 months). • Object Oriented Programming using C++. (05 months) • Operating Systems. (05 months) • Programming languages theory and concepts. (05 months) • So total estimated time required for the completion all above components of project=9+5+5+5+5+5+5= 39 months . • ** For purchasing the hardware, software and to setup the new lab we need more time and money for the pilot project in comparison to other seven courses e-content development.

18. 8. Budget • The pilot project is expected to take 9 months as shown in the schedule of tasks. To start pilot project we need necessary hardware/software, multimedia equipments, books, salary of Research Assistants etc so for the successful completion of pilot project we need 20(Twenty lakhs Indian Rupees) and for the completion of development of six other e-learning course contents we need 07 Lakh (Seven Lakh Indian rupees per course). • Following table shows approximate salary required for 03 research Assistants for the completion of pilot project (e-content development of Algorithm and Data Structures course):

19. Recurring expenses for Algorithm and Data Structures (pilot project):

20. Non-Recurring expenses for Algorithm and Data Structures (pilot project) : Total budget required to complete pilot project (Development of e-learning course material for “Algorithm & Data Structures course”)= Rs. 20 Lakhs. We need more money for pilot project because of requirement of H/W & S/W and Lab settlement. For other 06 courses we need Rs. 07 Lakhs for each course. So, total budget required for the development of e-learning course contents of 07 above proposed courses = (20+7+7+7+7+7+7) lakhs= 62 Lakhs (Sixty Two Lakhs Indian rupees.)

21. 9. References [1] http://hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey/01/19/index1a.html?tw=authoring [2] Online classes University of Illinois at Springfield http://online.uis.edu/classes.cfm [3] William W. Lee & Diana L. Owen, Multimedia-Based Instructional Design (Jossey-Bass Pfeiffer: San Francisco) 2000 [4] United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization http ://www.unesco.org/education/index.shtml [5] http://www.unicef.org/reseval/pdfs/teachfin.pdf [6] [Delors1996] http://www.unesco.org/delors/ [7] [Hall 1995] Hall, B. (1995). Return on investment and multimedia training. MultimediaTraining Newsletter. [8] [SoftwareDigest1996] Multimedia Authoring Tools. Software Digest, Vol 13, no. 8 (August 1996). [9] [CAES_MIT] The Center for Advanced Educational Services. http://www-caes.mit.edu/ [10] [LTRI_2000] Learning Technology Research Institute LTRI http://www.unl.ac.uk/ltri/frame1.htm [11] [EDUCAUSE] http://www.educause.edu/ [12] Dr Rafiq: PI of this Project http://www.drrafiq.org http://www.ccse.kfupm.edu.sa/~rafiq