information science

The current paper explores designing a web information retrieval system regarding the searching behavior of users in real and everyday life. Designing an information system that is closely linked to human behavior is equally important for providers and the end users. From an Information Science point of view, four approaches in designing information retrieval systems were identified as system-centered; user-centered; interactive and cognitive designs. However, there is a lack of research related to possible relationships between information behavior and information systems design to date. Traditionally, designers used human factors but not necessarily human behaviors while designing information systems. Therefore, there are few systems designed by information scientist aiming to regard or support the human information behavior. There are now new techniques and methodologies such as Contextual Design and Participatory Design to fill the gap. Implementing a behavioral approach to designing information systems are of interest and importance in terms of modern information technologies like social software, web 2.0, mobile phones and internet websites. New methodologies and research frameworks are proposed that place user location, attention and behavior as their main issues.

For years, virtual learning has been proposed as a dominant approach to overcome the limitations of traditional education. The spread of emerging technologies and the connection of citizens to the Internet has made virtual courses much more accesible than before. As the citizens of the third millennium refer to electronic shopping centers to purchase their goods, they expect to receive the instruction they require through virtual means. This trend, along with the increasing expectations, has created a gap between the current and the desired situation in the education process. Digital content management is considered as a facilitator to respond to emerging requirements. In this article, while explaining the dimensions of transformation in Virtual learning, the importance of digital content management in improving the effectiveness of virtual learning has been emphasized. The article would be a starting point for further research on the integration of digital content management in the virtual learning process.