2020 Sixth International Conference on e-Learning (econf)
E-Learning System Model For University
Education Using UML
Ayman R. Mohammeda,b
a. Smart Engineering Systems Research Centre (SESC),
Nile University
b. Industrial & Service Engineering & Management,
School of Engineering and Applied Sciences,
Nile University,
Cairo, Egypt
ORCID: 0000-0001-7068-0089
Abstract— High quality education should be the top priority for
any nation seeking prosperity. This paper aims to present a
conceptual model for e-learning system for developing countries.
This is achieved adopting an object-oriented approach and
Unified Modeling Language (UML). The functional and dynamic
views of the system are presented and explained within this
framework. The functional system includes Use Case diagrams
and activity diagrams which are developed based on predefined
2020 Sixth International Conference on e-Learning (econf) | 978-1-6654-1550-7/20/$31.00 ©2020 IEEE | DOI: 10.1109/ECONF51404.2020.9385482
functional requirements of the system. Furthermore, in the
dynamic view of the system, interaction diagrams are developed
and explained in detail. The proposed models are a step towards
efficient implementation of a complete e-learning system in
developing countries.
Keywords— E-learning; Online Education; Unified Modeling
Language; Behavioural Models; Functional Models.
I. INTRODUCTION
High quality education and promoting lifelong learning
opportunities for all is among the sustainable development
goals of the United Nations. The Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs) were supported by the United Nations in 2015.
These goals are aiming to end poverty, reduce pollution rates
and make sure that all countries enjoy world peace and
prosperity by 2030 [1].
Developing countries need to be more innovative and
creative to produce technology and science. This will have a
direct impact on improving the economy, reducing
unemployment rates and meeting national objectives. The new
education system must be of high quality and available to all
students providing them with the tools and skills enabling
them to be competitive on a global level.
An e-learning system has many advantages and is a
worldwide direction, especially after COVID-19 crisis. Online
education has proven to be a successful tool for learning both
theoretical and applied sciences. Many high-quality
universities around the world grant degrees using distance
learning systems [2]. For instance, Arizona State University
grants undergraduate and post graduate degrees in literature as
well as scientific majors through its online platform. It is
worth mentioning that the online degree has the same
credibility as the on-campus degree [3]. In the same context,
Egypt has partially activated and approved online learning in
some universities during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, an
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OF WESTERN
Sally S. Kassema,b,c
c. Department of Operations Research & Decision Support
Faculty of computers & Artificial Intelligence
Cairo University
Cairo, Egypt
ORCID: 0000-0001-9045-9365
online education system is complex and contains many
interconnected features and this require strong modeling and
programming skills.
System’s processes computerization is crucial to manage
the online education system in an efficient way [4]. There are
various methods and techniques for structuring an information
system such as the agile and rapid methods [5]. On the other
hand, large and complex systems require a technique that can
efficiently describe and analyze the details of the system [6].
For many years, the object-oriented approach and the unified
modelling language UML have been used for such purpose
and are proven to be highly effective [7].
Object-oriented approach divides the large system in into
subsystems during the system development phase. It is much
easier to deal with small models forming the large complex
system [8].
In this paper object-oriented approach is used to model
the online education system using UML models. The rest of
this paper is organized as follows: In section II, the functional
view of the system is illustrated by Use Case and Activity
diagrams, section III describes the dynamic view of the system
using interaction diagrams; state machine and communication
diagrams.
II. SYSTEM FUNCTIONAL VIEW
UML diagrams can adequately describe a system by
different views. Each view consists of different diagrams
focusing on a specific aspect of the system. The functional,
dynamic and static views are three complementary views that
are enough to describe a system. The three views and their
corresponding diagrams are shown in Figure.1. Only the
functional and dynamic views are present in this paper while
the static view is being developed to be integrated with them
in the near future.
The functional view of the system includes use case
diagrams and activity diagrams as shown in Figure.1. Use
Case diagrams are developed in the early phase of system
modeling. They are important for describing the main features
that are expected to be provided by the system. This type of
diagram clarifies the interactions between the system and its
surroundings [9]. In a Use Case Diagram, functions get
assigned to what is called actors. Actors are people or systems
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 2020 Sixth International Conference on e-Learning (econf)

that are interacting with the system. [10]. On the other hand, TABLE I SYSTEM'S FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS
activity diagrams are also describing the functions of the
No Requirement Description Priority
system, but they consider the logical sequence of the system's
major functions. 1 Enters personal info M
Enters email/phone number or use social media
2 M
account
3 System generates and send confirmation code M
4 Learner enters the sent code M
5 Enters personal info M
Enters email/phone number or use social media
6 M
account
7 System generates and send confirmation code M
Figure 1. UML System Views and Corresponding Diagrams
8 Teacher enters the sent code M
A. Use Case Diagrams Verify their qualifications through scanned
9 P
documents and phone interview
Information sharing is one of the most important aspects
10 View different majors/courses M
of an online educational system. To make sure that each actor
is having the right access to the right information, Use Case 11 Search courses by keywords O
Diagrams are developed. The functional requirements of a 12
View course contents/teacher
P
system are best described by Use Case diagrams [11] that is biography/prerequisites
why they are employed to view the system from a functional 13 Register/unregister in a course M
aspect. To develop the Use Case diagram, the functional 14 Submit assignment M
requirements of the system were defined as shown in Table.1.
Regarding the priority column, "M" means mandatory for the 15 Solve quiz/exam M
system to perform the function. "P" indicates that it is a 16 View grades M
preferred function. "O" means an optional function. 17 Set/cancel online appointment with TA P
Three Use Case diagrams were developed for three major 18 Chat with TAs/colleagues P
processes; registration, learner activities and teacher/professor
19 Request private tutor M
activities. The Use Case diagram considering the learner's
activities is present in Figure.2, while the two diagrams are 20 Join an online lecture/tutorial M
excluded due to the limited space. 21 Request document evaluation/proofreading/review M
Use Case description documentation is important for 22 Request professional/educational technical assistance M
modeling the functional requirements of the system as well as 23 Request a book/research paper M
the showing the flow of events [8]. It is essential to mention
the main paths, alternative paths and actors involved with the 24 View available scholarships M
use case when writing Use Case description [12], [13]. 25 Evaluate/Match learner's profile P
26 View application video instructions P
B. Activity Diagrams
27 Request scholarship consultation M
Activity diagrams concentrate on the sequence and status 28 Edit biography/course contents P
for organizing low level actions [14]. In activity diagrams, the
objects needed to execute the functional requirements are 29 Add assignment/quiz/exam M
identified. Furthermore, the responses taking place during the 30 Submit/edit grades M
execution are clarified. It can be concluded that activity 31 Accept/reject students' appointments P
diagrams describe the functionality of the system from a
32 Accept/reject help with specific questions M
sequential aspect [15]. A set of guidelines found in [16] were
considered while developing the activity diagrams in this 33 Set live lectures timings P
paper. These guidelines are as flows: 34 Accept document evaluation P
35 Accept technical assistance P
1) Only major processes should be considered
36 Accept scholarship consultation request P
2) Before using a modeling software, make sure that all
ddddddthe processes are fully understood 37 Payment through bank deposit/transfer M
3) Put in mind that the modeling process is iterative 38 Pay through credit/any cash transfer service available M
4) Focus on the big picture as the model is just an abstract 39 Professor/consultant receive payment on accounts O
dddddof the real system
40 Address complaints P
5) Consider one process a time
41 Rate the lecture/course/answer P

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 2020 Sixth International Conference on e-Learning (econf)

The swim-lane activity diagram in Figure.3 shows the

main activities of the registration process within the system. In
the beginning a new user initiate the system by entering their
personal information then the system sends a code to the new
user's email or phone. The user can wait up to 5 minutes to
enter the code. Then the information system verifies the
system to make sure that the user owns the previously entered
contact information. Then the user set a password and register
as a learner or an instructor. If s/he is an instructor, they
should upload proof documents. System admin should verify
the uploaded documents within 5 days. When verified the user
can use different system features.
The activity diagram in Figure.4 shows learners activities
and payment process. Furthermore, activity diagrams for
major processes such as managing courses, scholarship
consultation and submitting feedback are developed are
developed. However, they are excluded due to space
limitations of the paper.

Figure 3. Swimlane Activity Diagram for Registration Process

Figure 2. Use Case Diagram of Learner's Actions and

System Responses
Figure 4. Activity Diagram for Learner's Requests and Payment Process

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 2020 Sixth International Conference on e-Learning (econf)

III. SYSTEM DYNAMIC VIEW

System's behaviors are partially illustrated in activity
diagrams. However, the behavioral models show the dynamic
view in detail and this leads to promoting business processes
within an organization [17]. Sate machine diagrams and
interaction diagrams are widely used to describe the system
from a dynamic view. Interaction diagrams in UML include
communication or collaboration diagram and sequence
diagram. Both types of diagrams display the same
information, but with different structures. However,
communication diagrams are more attentive to the flow of
messages between the objects within the system. On the other
hand, sequence diagrams are focusing on messages sequence
or time order [8]. Since human interactions with systems are
adequately described with communication diagrams [18], a
communication diagram for requesting tutor assistance
process was developed as shown in Figure.5.
The communication diagram in Figure.5 contains six
objects. Each object sends and receives messages to complete
the service required. The diagram shows the messages sent
between the objects; learner, interface, information system
(data base), 3rd party financial service provider, the requests
list and the tutor. It also includes the billing process when
using the credit card option.
The notation of the communication messages is expressed
by X.Y where X is the object number and Y is the message
number. For example, the message 3.5 is the 5th message sent
from the 3rd object " Information System " which is "Deduct
50% of the service fees". Furthermore, the arrows also
represent the sequence of messages. For instance, the login
message is the 1st message that arrives to the application
interface object. The orange notes represent substitutional
paths due to messages failure.

TABLE II COMMUNICATION DIAGRAM OBJECTS' NUMBERING

Object Number
Learner 1
Application Interface 2
Information System 3
Financial service Provider system 4
Requests List 5
Tutor 6

On the other hand, state machine diagrams show all the

states of an object and the events that can affect the object's
state. The condition of an object changes by changing its
attributes [19]. A state machine diagram for student
registration object is developed in Figure.6. The state machine
diagram in Figure.6 shows the different conditions for students
registering in a course (registered – on waiting list –
withdrawn).

Figure 5. Communication Diagram for Student Requesting Assistance from a

Tutor

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 2020 Sixth International Conference on e-Learning (econf)
Figure 6. State Machine Diagram for Student Registering Object
IV. CONCLUSION
This paper includes a functional and behavioral model for
e-learning system in Egypt or any similar country using
Unified Modeling Language. First to analyze the basic
functions of the system, use case diagram and activity diagram
were developed. Afterwards, dynamic models were developed
to describe the system from a behavioral point of view.
The system is expected to raise the quality of education in
Egypt and developing countries. It can also help in improving
the economy through legalization of taxed online tutoring
instead of the current informal system. It is predicted to help
in improving scientific research and writing skills through
courses features such as requesting reviewing or proofreading
documents, requesting academic and professional
consultations. The system aims to overcome many challenges
that are currently facing the educational system in Egypt. It is
also expected to contribute in achieving Egypt's vision 2030
goals in the higher education sector.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The research work was supported by Smart Engineering
Systems Center (SESC) at Nile University.
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