Quality issues in system engineering affecting virtual distance learning systems

Abstract

A quality learning system is the foundation of virtual distance learning. It represents not only a significant investment and a competitive edge for a particular learning institution, but is also crucial to the success of the learning process. The integration of the heritage systems and legacy data into a network-centric environment involves more than just connecting data and hardware to the Internet - it requires the ability to make intelligent trade-offs that extend the scope of, and harvest the investment in, these systems. The systems engineer must design a strategy for the inplementation and maintenance of a quality learning system. This quality is parametrized by factors such as feasibility, schedule, flexibility and maintenance, chronological instability, and scalability and expandability. In this paper we describe how these parameters affect the quality of a virtual learning system, and attempt to reduce unforseen systems engineering problems when developing a new virtual learning system.