Cloud Computing-upcoming E-Learning tool

Cloud Computing-upcoming E-Learning tool Suvarna Dharmadhikari Computer science Department suvarnangore@rediffmail.com Monali Reosekar Computer science Department monalireosekar@gmail.com Vidya Gage Computer science Department vidhya_duraphe@yahoo.co.in ABSTRACT: This paper presents a dynamic approach to the integration of web services for e-learning using cloud computing infrastructure. The primary goal is to improve the performance of the existing e-learning system. The proposed method includes an integration of information, processes, applications and human resources in the e-learning system. Integration is based on a web application we developed for managing the learning environment. The application enables an integration of the Moodle, the OpenLDAP directory for managing user accounts, and the Open Nebula toolkit for managing a cloud computing infrastructure. The main advantage of the suggested approach is that the existing system for adaptive e-learning does not need any changes, while it becomes more available and suitable for ubiquitous learning. As the need for e learning is increasing continuously and its necessary for e learning systems to keep pace with the right technology needed for development and improvement. However, today's technologies (such as Web 2.0, Cloud, etc.) enable to build more successful and effective educational environment, that provide collaboration and interaction in elearning environments. Key-Words: - e-learning,moodle,cloud computing, Introduction: With the introduction of internet technologies in 1995(India), the information can be readily communicated to any part of the country at any time, overcoming the geographical limitations. This has led to better integration of systems employed in government organizations, Education System, corporations and other business institutes. The exchange of ideas, expertise andcollaboration can take place almost anytime and anywhere. in the word e- learning e stand for electronic where it would incorporate all educational activities carried out online via networked or by using other electronic devices. It is defined interactive leaning concept of e-learning in which the learning content is available online and provides automatic feedback to the students learning activities. It include delivery of content in a internet, intranet / extranet, satellite broadcast, interactive television, CD-Rom, DVD, audio and video tape etc. The benefits of cloud computing can support education institutions to resolve some of the common challenges such as cost reduction, quick and effective communication, security, privacy, flexibility and accessibility. The most common systems used in education are Blackboard and Moodle. Virtual Learning Environment is the dominant learning INCON X 2015 55

environments in higher education institutions. Also Known as learning management systems (LMS) and course management systems (CMS), their main function is to simplify course management aimed for numerous learners. The content within VLE is developed by teachers, which are mainly experts of a special domain. VLEs provide an easy to use system for flexibly delivering learning contents, activities, and support to students across an institution. learning management systems are powerful integrated systems that support a number of activities performed by teachers and students during the e-learning process (Hauger&Kock, 2007; Kahiigi, Ekenberg, Hansson, Tusubira, & Danielson, 2007) 1. Cloud-Based e-learning System Fig.1. Components of cloud based e-learning system. Cloud based e-learning system is web-based e-learning system that utilizes various social tools, smart agents, and interactive environments of Web 2.0 and available in cloud. The main components of the system are shown in above Figure 1. The system has three major Functionalities. The first one is a web-based course management system (CMS), which is managed by the web server. The second is a PLE where various web-based services and applications are utilized with igoogle as a portal to these applications. The third is the smart agents which consist of a personalized learning path generation system and test generation engine. The Web-Based Course Management System The main goal of the CMS is to provide the formal learning for registered learners where they can access course contents, provided and maintained by instructors. The course contents, which could be documents, presentations, or videos, are hosted in Google Docs and INCON X 2015 56

YouTube. Google Docs is a web-based word processing application that allows users to create, view and share documents,presentations, and spreadsheets over the Internet. Each document has a creator, who determines who is allowed to access the file, either as a viewer ( read-only rights) or admin (who can change the file). Because Google stores all of the files and content centrally, collaboration and document management become far simpler than when distributing files to multiple people and keeping track of different versions. If the lesson is a video then it can be hosted in YouTube web site. YouTube allows users to post videos, watch the videos those posted by others, post comments in a threaded-discussion format, provide search option for content by keyword or category, and create and participate in topical groups. It also offers an open access to key parts of the YouTube video repository and user community, via an open API interface and RSS feeds. YouTube is increasingly being used by educators as a pedagogic resource. Most of the educators believe that the act of creating content is a valuable learning exercise, helping develop a deeper understanding of the subject matter and the tools used to create that content. the CMS maintains an XML file of the lessons URLs which are arranged according to each subject graph. A teacher can add a subject to the by adding an entry to the XML file with the corresponding lesson. Following diagram shows the architecture of e-learning system: Fig.2. Architecture of the e-learning ecosystem What is Moodle: Moodle is a free and open-source e-learning software platform, also known as a Learning Management System. This LMS is suitable for use on online learning in small and large organisations. Its scalability allows it to run on a laptop, and a large server cluster. Moodle is INCON X 2015 57

used by academia in schools, Polytechs, PTE's and Universities, and in industry for staff training and professional development. Features:Moodle has several features considered typical of an e-learning platform, plus some original innovations.some typical features of Moodle are Assignment submission Discussion forum Files download Grading Moodle instant messages Online calendar Online news and announcement (College and course level) Online quiz Wiki For example suppose student wants to search information about courses, in moodle there is search option to search for courses: INCON X 2015 58

Developers can extend Moodle's modular construction by creating plugins for specific new functionality. Moodle's infrastructure supports many types of plug-ins: activities (including word and math games) content filters enrollment methods resource types question types (multiple choice, true and false, fill in the blank, etc) data field types (for the database activity) graphical themes authentication methods (can require username and password accessibility) Many freely-available third-party Moodle plugins make use of this infrastructure.moodle users can use PHP to author and contribute new modules. Moodle's development has been assisted by the work of open source programmers. This has contributed towards its rapid development and rapid bug fixes. Cisco webex is also one of cloud based e-learning platform which is to give online training for employees.which is use to plan meeting online and Record and replay your meetings and share with colleagues.so,no one has to miss a thing.webex is secure and reliable so most of IT companies and institutes use webex as e-learning tool. Cloud Computing Benefits for e-learning Solutions: Many education institutions do not have therequired resources and infrastructure to run top e-learning solution.this is why Blackboard and Moodle, the biggest players in the field of e-learning software, have now versions of the base applications that are cloud orientedlearning is widely used today on different educational levels: continuous education, companytrainings, academic courses, etc. There are various e-learning solutions from open source to commercial. There are at least two entities involved in an e-learning system: the students and thetrainers. INCON X 2015 59

The major role of studentsis : Take online course Take exams Send feedback Send homework, projects The role of trainers is: Deal with content management Prepare tests Assess tests, homework, projects taken by students Send feedback Communicate with students (forums) There are various advantages when the e-learning is implemented with the cloud computing technology, which are as follows 1. Minimum Cost: To run the e-learning application users need not have high end configured computers. The application can be run from cloud through their PC, mobile phones, tablet,pc having minimum configuration with internet connectivity. Since the data is centralized, created and accessed in the cloud, the user need not spend more money for large memory for data storage in local machines. Organizations also need to pay per use, so it s cheaper and need to pay only for the space they need. 2. Improved performance: e-learning system by using cloud has high performance because the cloud based e-learning applications have most of the applications and processes in cloud, so client machines do not create any problems on performance when they are working. 3. Instant software updates: Since thee-learning is cloud based application with the cloud power, the software s are automatically updated in cloud source. So, always e-learners get updates such as announcement, notification, and course material instantly. 4. Benefits for students: Most of the student have to leave their education midway due to financial problems, students get more advantages through cloud based e-learning. They can take online courses, attend the online exams, get feedback about the courses from instructors, and send their projects and assignments through online to their teachers. 5. Benefits for teachers: Teachers are able to prepare online tests for students, deal and create better content resources for students through content management, assess the tests, homework, projects taken by students, send the feedback and communicate with students through online forums. 6. Data security: A very big issue about data is data security because both the software and the data are located on remote servers that can crash or disappear without any additional warnings. Even if it seems not very reasonable, the cloud computing provides some major security benefits for individuals and companies that are using/developing e- learning solutions. INCON X 2015 60

7. 24x7 availability: students as well as teacher can access course content 24x7.since the e- learning is 24x7 available, working peoples also get the benefits of it. 8. Easy way of communication: contact information about all students stored in cloud,by using this information we can easily inform student about course schedule,tests, important dates. The cloud- based e-learning system, supportsthe construction of new technology in education system. Which is accessible from a wide range of hardware devices,whereas storing data inside the cloud. Ouf, Nasr andhelmy [5] had proposed an e learning system based onthe integration of cloud computing and Web 2.0 technologies to meet the requirements for e learningenvironment such as flexibility and compliance towardsstudents needs and concerns and improve and enhancethe efficiency ofe- learning environment. The authors hadmentioned the most important cloud-based services suchas Google App Engine and classified the advantages from implementing cloud-based e-learning 2.0 applications such as scalability, feasibility and availability, alsoemphasized the improvements in cost and riskmanagement. Conclusion: In present scenario EDUSAT, PDF,WBCMS are the some examples of e-learning implementedby institutions/universities. The cloud-based e-learning system supports the construction of new generation of e-learning system. By using wbcms user can easily manage the course content. by web services we can send important messages to the students,teacher or other member of the organization. Cloud computing has several advantages, so by using these advantages e-learning system is more powerful than previous one. References: 1. www.moodle.org 2. www.blackboard.org 3. www.webex.com 4. Wikipedia 5. E-Learning on the Cloud International Arab Journal of e-technology, Vol. 1, No. 2, June 2009 6. Shimaa Oaf, Mona Nasr, and Yehia Helmy, "An enhanced e-learning ecosystem based on an integration between cloud computing and Web2.0," in Signal Processing and Information Technology(ISSPIT), 2010, pp. 48-55. 7. Despotović-Zrakić, M., Simić, K., Labus, A., Milić, A., &Jovanić, B. (2013). Scaffolding Environment for Adaptive E-learning through Cloud Computing. Educational Technology & Society, 16 (3), 301 314. 8. RashaFouadAlCattan, Integration of Cloud Computing and Web2.0 Collaboration Technologies in E-learning. INCON X 2015 61

International Journal of Computer Trends and Technology (IJCTT) volume 12 number 1 Jun 2014 9. Hua Zheng. "A Virtual Learning Community Based on Cloud Computing and Web 2.0," IJCSIInternational Journal of Computer Science Issues,vol. 9, no. 6, 2012. ****** INCON X 2015 62