OpenUSS & FSL

        

Description Contact Download: Documentation · Software

An open platform for computer-supported post-secondary instruction

High-quality instruction requires a modern infrastructure in order to efficiently carry out the logistics of learning and instructional processes. In order to significantly improve the internet presence of educational institutions, the OpenUSS software package was developed as an open platform for computer-supported instruction.

OpenUSS provides modern Internet-based user services for information and communication:

• Personalized management of instructional materials
• E-Mail list servers for individual courses
• Theme specific discussion forums
• Moderated chat rooms
• Lecture archiving on CD-ROM for offline support
• Open and closed user groups

OpenUSS for Students

Because mobility is a decisive factor for the success of computer-supported post-secondary instruction, OpenUSS relies on innovative communications technologies such as WAP and SMS. This means that students can be supplied with current information on academic events "just in time" - whether at home, via mobile telephone, or (in the near future) via UMTS. In order to provide students with a custom-tailored array of information, OpenUSS is equipped with technology for individually personalized dynamic resources. Students enroll themselves in their desired online courses, and are provided according to enrollment with precisely the information they need. Since OpenUSS can manage any number of university organizational units independantly (e.g. faculties or institutes), students are offered an integrated view of all information relevant to their studies.

OpenUSS for Instructors

As an Internet-based administrative system, OpenUSS also offers a range of advantages for instructors. All instructional materials are stored in a structured database - problems with course Web site consistency and currency are a thing of the past. The contents of the database can be archived at the end of the semester, making it possible to distribute them offline on CD-ROM. In this way innovative distance learning concepts can also be supported. With OpenUSS, the publication of new instructional materials can also be carried out from the instructor's home work station. All that's required is an Internet connection and a standard browser. With this basic configuration, all kinds of instructional materials - e.g. slideshows, text documents and spreadsheets - can be published and distributed "just in time."

Since OpenUSS allows the management of instructional materials to be largely automated, staff-intensive maintenance procedures can be significantly reduced. At the same time, a role-oriented security concept ensures the highest levels of dependability and stability.

OpenUSS for Developers and Operators

OpenUSS is designed as a completely Open Source product: developers get an open administration system that can keep pace with the dynamic requirements of modern post-secondary instruction. OpenUSS supports Application Service Provider (ASP), for an IT deployment which is economical and effective over the long haul:

• Programs, source code and documentation are freely available over the Internet - there are no licensing fees.
• OpenUSS is multi-client capable. Operators can flexibly serve any number of different organizational units over one central instance of OpenUSS. This can substantially reduce the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for the user.
• Further development, updates, bug fixes etc. are coordinated in the central SourceForge project database.

OpenUSS Technology

OpenUSS is entirely realized as a Java application based on Enterprise Java Beans (EJB). Thanks to the excellent portability of OpenUSS, existing hardware resources can be used efficiently - from microcomputers to mainframes. OpenUSS is based on application server technology, so that high user loads can be sustained. The architecture also supports distribution of individual system components across multiple hardware elements. The following Open Source products are employed to implement the system:

• Presentation level: Enhydra Servlet Server (or equivalent)
• Business process level: JOnAs EJB Server (or equivalent)
• Data level: InterBase, PostgreSQL (or equivalent)

Freestyle Learning-Idea

Looking at the world education market, the great demand and hope towards an improvement of education by computer assisted learning and teaching (CAL+CAT) is obvious. Though despite of various project, each ambitious and highly funded, results - and even projects launched right now - remain far behind expectations. One of the mayor reasons lies in the fact that most partners involved can not cope with didactical or technical requirements, first because their core business is not software engineering but research, teaching or other business, second because all of them starting at zero. In contrast the Department of Information Systems of the University of Muenster, represented by the authors GROB/BROCKE/LAHME, has extensive experiences in e-learning according to scientific research as well as software engineering. So the idea of Freestyle Learning was born:

1. Derive (concrete) recommendations from didactic science,
2. analyse in which way new technology (really) can suite to reach them,
3. clarify solutions in an integrated concept for elearning,
4. let the concept come alive by implementing it, not only as (another) piece of software, but
5. as a generic platform to be easily adopted by various learning communities, so that
6. people are free to concentrate on knowledge - exploring, spreading and sharing it in learning networks!

Freestyle Learning-Profile

Today the initial idea is realized. The entire e-learning concept as well as its implementation as a generic platform are "ready to use" in various learning scenarios. The outstanding high degree of individuality and flexibility according to didactics, technology, and transfer led to the well known trademark: Freestyle Learning.

Freestyle in Learning

Learners are free to interact according to their individual needs. Three characteristics make this possible:

1. Multi-perspective Learning: Alternative learning perspectives are derived from didactic science, in which the same content is represented in redundant ways, each meeting special learning styles.
2. Individual Learning: It is totally up to the learner what perspective to explore at what time. Learners freely manage their individual learning process according to their situations, interest or actual feeling.
3. Guided Learning: During this process the learner is guided (not forced): first a clear structure of the subject in each learning unit, recurring in each perspective, second by subject oriented links between the perspectives to easily surf though them by subject flow.

Freestyle in Technology

The systems design is free to use specialized technology according to its significant strength for learning. This forms the platform as well as the whole community.

1. Platform:
   Firstly the conceptual platform is not simply web-based, but uses specialized integrated technological platforms:
   1. Freestyle Learning Home focuses on the personal learning itself. In a sheltered environment a high degree of interaction and individualization is achieved. Learning perspectives are e.g. intro, case study, learning by doing, slide show and check up - just to name a few.
   2. Freestyle Learning Web uses the strength in communication and information logistics of the internet. Learning perspectives for interaction and research are build like chat, newsgroups and link lists.
2. Community:
   Secondly fully learning units can be embedded into special learning scenarios themselves, like academies, schools, enterprises or universities (presence- as well as virtual ones). In this way an open infrastructure is build, in which new and old technology as well as people come together.

Freestyle in Transfer

The entire Freestyle Learning Environment is free to be easily transferred to various communities without even a single line of code. Using Freestyle Learning-Designer learning units and networks can be build by mainly exploring knowledge, shaping content and "plugging it in". Authors can concentrate on their core business, creating and spreading knowledge. Reputable projects with scientist of the fields of economy and history as well as teachers have been launched - some of them even completed - already. At the World Education Market 2001 Freestyle Learning is offered to partners in order to support individual education. Moreover cooperations will be launched to enforce the foundation of freestyle knowledge-networks world-wide.