Start date: 1 April 2007
End date: 1 March 2009
Funding programme: e-Learning Capital programme
Project website:
http://samsa.tvu.ac.uk/P_SPEX
JISC theme(s): e-Learning, e-Administration
Overview
The programme specification has been identified as the primary source of
information for all stakeholders involved in designing and using programme
specific information. However, the processes around programme specification
production and usage (e.g. validation, marketing, timetabling) have
highlighted issues such as lack of clarity of information required by
different stakeholders, and in particular, the issue of configuration
management (varying versions of programmes and modules available at
different HE sites is especially intractable. What is required is a
detailed understanding of how programme specifications can be better
managed within the overall Curriculum Domain.
This project will undertake a case study based analysis of the business
domain impacting and containing all interactions with Programme
Specification production and usage. The case study will be used to develop
a Domain Map for Programme Specification. The Domain Map delivered from the
project will include a variety of models, descriptions and implemented Java
based services for submission to the E-Framework.
Aims and objectives
This project aims to produce a programme specification Domain Map for
higher education. The project aim will be supported by the following
objectives:
-
Development of a Domain Map model published in a semantic media wiki
(Domain Model will contain: Stakeholder, High Level Functions,
Information Model, Issues)
-
Develop a set of requirements specification of programme management
system that will help the engagement of the community and vendors
-
Specify and develop a set of software services for the configuration
management of programme specifications. This will include:
-
An illustrative process example of consuming the services will be
elaborated as Business Process Model descriptions captured using BPMN
notation.
Project methodology
The characteristics of this project make it necessary to deploy a
multi-faceted methodology. For the production of Domain Map elements
we expect to use a variety of adapted techniques previously deployed in the
COVARM and XCRI projects as they are relevant to this problem domain.
COVARM utilised a formal UML /Rational Unified Process based approach to
developing the COVARM reference model. Adaptations were made to support a
service oriented architecture perspective and there was a considerable
focus on business process modelling. XCRI utilized an Agile Modelling
approach using XML and REST service development to produce the XCRI
reference model.
For the software development, we will follow MDA approach using UML.
The implementation of the services will use J2EE technology. The
Choreography of the services will be managed using BPMN.
Anticipated impact
This project makes the following contributions to the e-Learning programme:
-
This project formalizes and enhances significantly the joint work between
the COVARM and XCRI projects to develop and substantiate knowledge of the
Curriculum and Programme Specification domain and thus meets the JISC
Programme goals of developing and piloting technical models required to
support learning and teaching as well as building capacity across the
sector.
-
This project will provide substantive experience of applying the JISC
e-Framework strategy for understanding new domains and determining
service specifications and requirements for interactions between
domains.
-
The process of interacting with the e-Framework will provide strong
evidence on the usability, applicability and possible limitations of the
e-Framework. This consideration of e-Framework use within workplace
environments is of interest to JISC members across the educational
spectrum.
-
This particular domain map will provide essential information for HEIs as
they seek to have a detailed, formal understanding of key administration
areas in which they may be considering implementing process improvement
programmes.
Lead institution
Project partners