Equivalence of problems in problem based e-learning of database

Abstract

Problem-based learning (PBL) in engineering education is an important research area. Several works have been done to express PBL methodologies, problem design, implementation of learning environment, support PBL learning, evaluate performance, group assignment and others. Problem solving is the main goal of education. Problem-based learning is a way to learn what is needed to solve a problem, how can a solution be obtained quickly, precisely and professionally. To achieve the goal of problem-based learning, problem design and assign same level of problems among the students are important in engineering classroom environment. SQL is a major part in Database course. In problem-based e-Learning of SQL, it is essential to find out the equivalence of a SQL problems to assign the set of problems to a set of students. This is necessary for equal judgment of the performance of individual students. We have developed a complexity model to find out the equivalence of problems for problem based e-learning of database. In this model, complexity of problems is found by parsing the given solution of the problem in top down approach. We have applied our model to well known SQL Learning and Evaluation System (SQL-LES). We have compared our calculated complexity value with the complexity value in the question bank of SQL-LES assigned by the SQL experts and found that in most case our model generate similar complexity value as SQL-LES. Application of our model will reduce the instructor workload in SQL-LES.