Object Orientation in Educational Software

Abstract

SUMMARY Changing educational circumstances and improving technology are generating the need for a unified perspective of course design that applies to computer‐based courses and courseware. It should combine the principles of educational theory, employed in conventional teaching and learning, with programming methodology, to produce a framework that is compatible with both fields. In particular, it is interesting to see what advantages can be obtained from the use of object orientation, which has proved to be successful in other computing applications. An object‐oriented model is developed which combines the principles of course design with programming practice. It produces a hierarchical structure of modular objects, each of which combines syllabus content and educational methods in a self‐contained program. The structure has a number of advantages, in terms of programming, and some specific characteristics that may be regarded as educational advantages, compared to the more traditional, procedural approach.