Page 50 - DCAP608_REAL TIME SYSTEMS

Unit 4: A Reference Model of Real-time Systems

Notes
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Case Study Virtual University Reference Model

lanning and designing a virtual university or a virtual campus is a complex task
involving many different aspects of higher education administration and
Pinstructional delivery? In the early days of online courses, just putting course syllabi
on the Web is worthy of attracting some attention. Nowadays many online courses are
offered using a combination of asynchronous and synchronous computer conferencing,
slide presentation on the Web, and file transfer systems. Though course delivery is an
important component of virtual university, it is not the only component. In order to create
a successful academic environment for a distance learner, various support services to
students and faculty members have to be included in the plan as integral part of a virtual
university.
To aid planning and designing of a virtual university by existing as well as new higher
education institutions, this paper will present the Virtual University Reference Model
(VURM). This model is intended to be a guideline or a framework for colleges and
universities which plan to deliver instruction and support services to distance learners or
to be a checklist to evaluate existing distance learning programs. It should assist in quickly
identifying necessary service elements and mechanisms for offering a various degree of
online distance learning programs.
General Principles

Figure 1 depicts the Virtual University Reference Model. In the model, a virtual university
is broken down to four major components: administrative services, student services,
resource services, and faculty services. Each component has a different purpose and provides
students with different services.

Figure 1: Virtual University Reference Model

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