Case Study: Developing VLP Prototype for DPOVL

target outcomes. They could also use some online evaluation instruments like quizzes, performance observation card, and evaluation card of the final product.

apply the UML design methods for the VLP functions, to implement the functions by CakePHP framework, to conduct testing for the VLP system, to understand how the VLP tools work together, to deploy and remotely manage the VLP on the server. In this section, the ACDIE model phases were applied to develop the target VLP system, especially in the analysis, construction, and deployment phases as below.

4.3.1. Analysis of the VLP project

The purpose of this analysis phase is to provide a description of the VLP system as an instructional product. This description contains an outline of the requirement for the VLP system such as the VLP project scope, the VLP target users and characteristics, the functional and non-functional requirements, the design constraints, the VLP assumptions for overall use cases, the dependencies, and the VLP course content requirements. The details of the initial analysis phase are described in Appendix A. The description of the analysis would become a guideline for instructional designers and developers to develop the VLP system.

4.3.2. Construction of the VLP project 4.3.2.1. Constructed VLP function tools

This section explains how to construct actual VLP functions according to the ACDIE model with the user management tool and the cloud storage tool as an example of the iteration process.

First of all, all functions which inside the VLP have an educational background to achieve the learning objectives. For instance, the user management tool provides user authentication for the target students and makes the instructor track the learning performance of the students. On the other hand, the cloud storage tool enables the instructors and the students to store their files related to the learning process in the VLP and to manage the files at anytime and anywhere.

We applied a Model-View-Controller (MVC) pattern as a software architectural pattern in designing and developing the VLP project. This pattern is considered as an economical and flexible about saving time in revising and modifying the VLP functions. Actual examples of the iteration process are constructed according to the blended model typically as follows:

a) Iteration 1 (User Management)

 Design: The design for the VLP user management tool was made based on the applied MVC software architectural pattern. We used a class diagram as the UML method to design classes for the model, controller, and view of the tool.

 Coding: In this step, the actual code for all the design was implemented based on the class diagram by using the CakePHP framework, PHP, CSS, MYSQL database application.

 Testing: The verification and validation testing for the tool were conducted. In the verification testing, the tool was reviewed to confirm its design and behavior. In the validation testing, the test cases for the tool were implemented to confirm the tool was harmonized with the requirements and to achieve the intended purpose. The test cases for the tool was prepared based on the template headline presented by (Guru99, 2014).

Finally, we fixed errors to reach the final version of the tool.

b) Iteration 2 (Cloud Storage)

Another tool was developed after moving to the next iteration by using the same steps: The design for the cloud storage tool was made based on the applied MVC pattern as described in Figure 9. Then the coding for the cloud storage tool was implemented, and the testing was conducted. See the final test cases of this iteration as described in Appendix B. The similar test cases were prepared to fix the errors.

By same construction steps, all of the VLP functions were developed as shown in Table 1. The current prototype version of the VLP system supports two languages; English and Arabic.

Figure 9.Description of UML design of the cloud storage tool

Table 1. The VLP administration tools

4.3.2.2. Constructed VLP course contents

In order for the educational technology students to know how to design and produce the OVL practically, the special course contents were developed and presented by the VLP course function. The course lessons were designed at first, then developed by the VLP course tool and some computer software. Finally, each lesson was tested to confirm it worked without problems.

The evaluation instrument was also designed, developed, and tested in the similar steps. The course contents were included some multimedia elements like text explanation, video, instructional drawing and images about DPOVL. The courses consisted of three units involved

Role of Learning Tool Name

Learning tools Course tool

Online Response tool Glossary tool

WebQuest tool Assignment tool

Management tools User management tool

Announcement tool

Teacher information page tool Learning download center tool Cloud storage tool

Report tool

Communication tools Forum tool

Video conference tool Message tool

Innovative tools for the OVL

OVL designer tool OVL creator tool

Educational image library tool

Evaluation tools Quiz tool

Questionnaire tool

Performance observation card/product evaluation card tool

Help tool VLP help tool

11 lessons as described in Table 2. The first unit provided some information and knowledge about VL as a modern technology for improving the learning process, especially an OVL concept, advantages, and general design. The second and third units involved how to design and produce the OVL, respectively.

4.3.3. Deployment of the VLP project

In this phase, the VLP prototype version was installed in a LAMP (Linux-Apache-MySQL-PHP) server. Then, we conducted a system testing for the VLP system in the real environment.

Some technical problems were found and fixed successfully. The following pilot study in the next chapter and an acceptance test for the VLP were conducted by the target users. Early feedbacks about implementation problems were gathered with regarding research design, evaluation instruments, and the VLP system errors and usability problems.

Table 2. Description for the OVL course contents