Multimedia Case-Based Reasoning As A Teaching Tool: From Deployment Of Learning Materials To Virtual Communities

Mary Lou Maher
Co-Director
Key Centre of Design Computing
University of Sydney, Australia

Wednesday, January 15, 1997
11 a.m. - 12 noon
Washburn Hall 229

Case-based reasoning has been explored as an approach for design problem solving. Using case-based reasoning involves the identification of a representation of previous designs as a case base that is developed and organised for "reuse". The application of this research for teaching design requires a careful consideration of representation and presentation of the design episodes. A case library of building designs in Australia has been developed in a multimedia environment. Students can identify and reuse relevant parts of the building designs, and add their own case studies or designs to the library. The material is presented as Web pages that will eventually provide a global collection of building designs to all students and designers.

This project is presented as an example of the development of multimedia materials that are deployed on the internet. This material begins to address some of the needs of remote learners by providing learning material independent of student location. A continuation of the idea of distance learning is the development of a virtual community for learners, drawing on techniques such as Multi-User Virtual Environments (MUVEs). A pilot project is in progress that combines MUVEs and web-based learning materials for course and material deployment that provides a comprehensive environment for learning, collaborating, and constructing.

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Last modified: Sep 27, 2006, 16:05 EDT