Applying software engineering methods to instructional systems development

The research reported in this paper aims to integrate software engineering approaches with instructional factors in the requirements analysis, design and production phases of instructional software development. The integration has resulted in the evolution of a branch of software engineering called courseware engineering. The paper reports on the results of an independent study we have undertaken into the aspects of software engineering that are appropriate for the development of instructional software systems. Examples of other research efforts combining the disciplines of software engineering and instructional system development are given, where applicable. Two software engineering methods were identified as being particularly useful and appropriate to instructional systems development: prototyping and object-oriented design. Factors that support the use and applicability of these two approaches are discussed and illustrated by a prototype development called FRAMES.