Evaluation of the information servicing in a distributed learning environment by using monitoring and stochastic modeling

Abstract

The distributed learning is an instructional model that allows instructor, students, and content to be located in different nodes in the global network. The authors’ main idea is to organize a distributed learning environment (DLE) based on information and communication resources of global network in combination with the technologies for virtual reality and 3D simulation. In this reason a conceptual model of the DLE architecture and learning processes is defined, and preliminary investigation is carried out. The purpose of this paper is to present an evaluation of information servicing in DLE by using stochastic model designed on the base of the results from program monitoring. A formalization of the DLE processes is made and a stochastic model based on the apparatus of Markov’s chains and queuing theory is designed. The results obtained from program monitoring are used for determination of the values of the basic model parameters to secure high model adequacy. The program monitoring is realized by using two program applications and a preliminary statistical analysis is made. Finally, an evaluation of the information servicing in DLE is realized and the obtained assessment are presented in suitable manner. Keywords: Distributed learning, information servicing evaluation, Markov’s modeling, monitoring, statistical analysis