Download Adrian Crowther - VLE

2 Background research
This section outlines the important issues surrounding open source virtual learning environments
(VLE) and the production of a questionnaire module. It is vital, since the module could be made
available to the public that the area of what an open source system is and the benefits it offers the
users, are fully explained. The module must fit in with the overall aim of a VLE as well as the
functionalities of a system, which is implemented in a school environment i.e. accessibility by all
possible types of users.
2.1 Questionnaire generators
A questionnaire generator allows users to easily create questionnaires which can either be displayed
online or printed off for distribution. The generator reduces the effort required from the users, in order
to achieve their goal. The aim of a questionnaire is to gather people’s opinion on set matters. To
achieve this, the questionnaire must be well structured and simple for the user to fill out. If the layout
is not flowing then the user will lose interest, and will not fill out the questionnaire with their accurate
opinion.
There are many free and commercial questionnaire generators on the market.
EQUIP [19] provide two commercial questionnaire generators, one of which works online allowing
the questionnaire to be placed on websites for users to take, where as the other is for offline use. Both
of the software’s allow the user to tailor the layout of the questionnaire, and enabling the use of
graphics and background images for a professional finish. The questionnaire generators support
multiple question formats, including radio, checkboxes (for multiple answers) and text fields. The
advantage of supporting multiple questionnaire types, is that the user can get results with the use of
open and closed questions.
2.2 Open source
An open source system is a system whose source code is freely available for people to download and
alter. The online encyclopaedia Wikipedia [9] describes ‘open source’ as “software whose source
code is published and made publicly available, enabling availability to copy, modify and redistribute
the source code without payment of royalties or fees” . Since the source code can be modified the
program can be customised for individual needs. Golden [28] expresses open source as a “relatively
new phenomenon” which is not fully understood or utilised by potential users. Golden [28] then goes
on to highlight some of the common misunderstandings when discussing open source software.
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