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Cloud Computing Applications in E-learning
(January 2010)
E. Bakhsh, M. Al Askar
Bachelor of Science in Information Systems’ students, CIS department, College for women, Prince Sultan University
Abstract— Once again computers’ and systems’ users have
taken a step further towards exploiting the capabilities of the
Internet by introducing the concept of “Cloud Computing”.
Cloud computing is simply the use of applications and services
offered over the Internet. Cloud computing is being used in many
ways today and in many industries including education. Cloud
computing can be used to provide for e-learning in schools,
universities and companies. This research will focus on
answering the following question: What are cloud computing
applications in e-learning? The research will first provide
background information about cloud computing and e-learning.
Next, applications of cloud computing in e-learning will be
discussed in analysis. Then, several cases where cloud computing
was applied for e-learning will be elaborated. Finally, the
research will conclude by providing some specific
recommendations for Prince Sultan University.
Figure 1: Cloud computing architecture: front end and back end
Index Terms— cloud computing, e-learning.
I. INTRODUCTION
computing and e-learning are fairly new concepts
effecting the use of technology in teaching and learning.
When applied together, they can provide a powerful tool
for education. But first, what is cloud computing exactly?
And what do we mean by e-learning?
C
LOUD
A. Cloud Computing Background
Cloud computing can be defined as “a style of computing
where scalable and elastic IT capabilities are provided as a
service to multiple customers using Internet technologies” [1].
This definition highlights several important characteristics of
cloud computing. First, cloud computing is scalable which
means it can used on demand. Second, it provides different IT
capabilities like resources, software, and data. Third, it can
serve many customers. And finally, it can be accessed via
Internet.
Architecture of cloud computing consists of two parts: the
front end and the back end [2]. The front end refers to the
client’s computer and the interface, browser, or application
used to connect to the cloud. On the other hand, the back end
refers to combination of computers, servers, and data storage
devices that form the cloud.
Cloud computing has five layers that can describe the
services provided[3]:
1) Client:
This layer consists of devices and applications connected to
the cloud. Examples of such devices include laptops,
computers, and phones. Client application examples include
operating systems and browsers.
2) Application:
Software as a Service (SaaS) provides software over the
Internet. Clients can use the software without the need to
install the software on their devices.
3) Platform
Platform as a Service (PaaS) delivers hardware architecture
or software framework as a service over the Internet. Operatin
system is an example of a platform.
4) Infrastructure:
"Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)" provides computer
infrastructure as a service. Examples of computer
infrastructure are servers, software, data storage or network
equipment.
5) Server:
This layer consists of computer hardware and software
products deliver the cloud computing services.
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Reference [4] highlights several benefits of cloud
computing. Most common reported benefits were reduced IT
costs, better IT scalability, and more efficient business
processes. Other benefits included more innovation and
improved data mining. And one very important benefit was
that even small companies can afford to use software and
hardware that required huge investments before cloud
computing.
As great as the opportunities that cloud computing provides,
there are many threats associated with it [5]. First, the ease of
access to cloud computing services can result in the use of
cloud computing for cybercrime. Second, insecure interfaces
to cloud computing services form a threat. Third, harmful
intents of employees and insiders providing the cloud
computing services can cause great damages. Fourth, the
sharing of technology among users leads to several security
and privacy issues. Other threats include data loss and account
or service hijacking.
not all, elements or components of a real classroom. British
Educational Communications and Technology Agency (Becta)
specified four major functional requirements for e-learning
systems in England [8]. The specified requirement categories
are: content management, curriculum mapping and planning,
learner engagement and administration, and tools and services.
In another research [9] six components were identified for an
e-learning environment: content presentation and interactivity,
management of learning systems, collaboration between
learners, communications with tutors and professors, user
support, and assessing knowledge. In this research, three elearning systems’ elements are included: content management,
communication and interactivity, learner administration and
assessment. Next, two of these elements are explained and a
cloud computing solution is provided to meet each
requirement. Then, some integrated cloud computing solutions
are discussed that meet most of the above requirements.
B. E-learning Background
In order to define content management, understanding of
the two words “content” and “management” is essential.
Content refers to digital information or digital content [10].
This digital information or content can be in many formats but
mostly formats accessible from different platforms are used.
The content can also be enriched by multimedia such as audio
or video [9]. Management includes two main functions:
storage and delivery [8]. Thus content management can be
defined as “the technology that is used to support the
management and life cycle of the digital information or
content” or simply the management of the content [10].
There are five main roles associated with content
management: author, editor, publisher, administrator and
consumer of the content [10]. The author is responsible for
creating the content. The editor tunes the content by reviewing
details like the style for example. Publisher’s responsibility is
to publish the content and make it available for use. The
administrator grants the intended users the privilege to access
the content. And finally, the consumer uses the content. A
content management system must support all these roles and
responsibilities. An e-learning system in the cloud must
contain a cloud computing solution that supports the
responsibilities of each one of these roles.
A great cloud computing solution for content management
is GoogleDocs. GoogleDocs allows users to upload or create
and share documents, presentations, spreadsheets, forms and
drawings. GoogleDocs supports the role of author by allowing
users to create content online. It also supports the role of
editor, by allowing user to edit content after creation. Role of
the publisher, administrator, and consumer are supported by
the “share” feature which allows the content to be shared with
any number of people by adding their email addresses.
E Learning can simply be defined as “all forms of
electronically supported learning and teaching” [6]. There are
several common abbreviations used to refer to different kinds
of e-learning such as computer based teaching (CBT), internet
based teaching (IBT), and web based teaching (WBT) [6].
The term e-learning doesn’t refer to one concept only, but it
comprises of different concepts and approaches [6]. One
approach is computer based learning (CBL) which refers to
the use of computers a major part of the education process.
Another approach is CBT which focuses on self-paced
learning accessed by computers or other devices. CBT is also
sometimes referred to as WBT.
Computer supported
collaborated learning (CSCL) is another approach to elearning which aims to “improve teaching and learning with
the help of modern information and communication
technology” [6]. And finally, technology enhanced learning
(TEL) approach focuses on using technology in any way for
the learning process.
E-learning in general, regardless of the adopted approach,
has many benefits [7]. First, it offers convenience and
portability so they are not time or place dependent. Second, it
offers flexibility it terms of style, pace, and preferences. Third,
there is better collaboration among students and between
students and instructors.
Today, there are many technologies used to implement elearning such as learning management systems and electronic
performance systems [6]. One approach for accessing these
technologies is cloud computing.
II. ANALYSIS
A successful e-learning system recreates a real academic
environment as much as possible. It should include most, if
A. Content Management
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For multimedia content like videos or recorded lectures,
youtube is a good solution. Youtube allows users to create
channels and post videos online. Other users can view these
videos and post comments. Youtube can be accessed from
anywhere, using any technology as long as Internet connection
is available. However, youube doesn’t support author or editor
roles as it doesn’t allow users to create or edit video.
Publisher, administrator, and consumer roles are completely
supported.
B. Communication and interactivity
There are two levels of communication: between student
and instructor, and among students. As for communication
categories, there are two types: asynchronous and synchronous
[9]. Example of asynchronous communication includes email
and example of synchronous communication includes
videoconferencing. Communication among students should
enable them to work as a team on assignments and have group
discussions [9].
For asynchronous communication, Yahoo groups is a good
solution. It can be used for student-instructor communication
as well as among students communication. Once the instructor
and students join the group, they can share messages and
comment on other messages. Students can send private
messages to instructors as well as to the whole group. This
solution also supports content management by allowing
publishing and sharing of all types of files.
For synchronous communication, a great solution is
Webex by Cisco. This solution as well can be used for
student-instructor communication as well as among students
communication. Webex is a cloud computing solution, so in
order to use it all that is required is internet connection. The
service can be used by just logging in. This service allows
users to arrange and hold meetings online. Webex supports
real-time desktop sharing. Once in a meeting, users can work
together on presentations and documents as if in a real
meeting. Instructors can have private conversations with a
single student, while explaining documents or slides. They can
also invite a group of students to the conversations. Students
can hold meetings to discuss, share, and work together on
projects and assignments [11].
One integrated cloud computing solution is “access plan
lms” provided by AccessPlanIT. The most significant features
of this solution are: course management, communication and
auto notification, and managing learner information [12].
Other features include instructor led courses book
management, knowledge bank, feedback and evaluation,
learning and development features, reporting, scalability, and
other line manager features and learner features.
Course management feature includes managing multiple
course types, building courses profiles, creating course
catalogues, assign qualifications or modules to courses,
creating private courses limited to certain learner groups,
tracking and reporting on scores and grades, completions or
failures and powerful reporting functionality.
Communication and auto notification feature includes
SMS notifications, bulk email tool, messaging facility, email
notifications, and candidate and manager notifications such as
courses bookings, reminders, expiring awards, candidates
falling behind schedule, cancelled or non-attendance of
training, course date reminders.
Managing learner information feature provides a single
database containing all learner information that can be
accessed from any location, stores comprehensive information
relating to learners including training history, tracks job
training, stores notes and documents, provides learner search
facility, and provides data import tools for bulk updates.
Another integrated cloud computing solution is
Cornerstone’s learning management system. The key features
include e-learning delivery, content management, and
automated development planning [13]. Other features include
Instructor-Led Training (ILT) and virtual classrooms.
E-learning delivery feature provides access to thousands of
e-learning materials in many fields. It also had workflow,
assignment, and tracking capabilities. And it allows users to
personalize the training.
Cornerstone’s Learning Content Management System
(LCMS) facilitates the content management features by
allowing users to publish all sorts of content. LCMS provides
users with great capabilities like creating online training using
templates and accessing assessment and automatic grading
tools.
Automated development planning feature allows users to
take trainings that help in their development. Also, the
competency
assessment
tool
provides
specific
recommendations based on user’s knowledge.
AcessPlanIT and Cornerstone have proven to be effected
solutions, as illustrated in the next section. However, they are
only two of the many integrated e-learning solutions available.
III. BEST PRACTICES
Cloud computing e-learning solutions have been implemented
before, and in most cases were very successful. Here, two such
cases are presented. In the first case [12], AccessPlanIT was
used to implement course manager system in University of the
Arts London. In the second case [13], Cornerstone was used to
provide a learning management system for BJC Healthcare.
A. University of Arts London
University of the Arts London is one of Europe’s leading
universities in the field of arts including design, fashion
communication, and performing arts. The university was
facing difficulties in organizing their courses. Every college in
the university was using a different kind of system which
resulted in duplication and efforts being wasted. The
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university chose AccessPlanIT to provide their Course
manager system. They had many reasons to choose
AccessPlanIT including meeting their requirements and the
ability to integrate the new system with the university’s
existing e-commerce and finance systems.
The university implemented all modules of the course
manager system. The online booking module allowed users to
view course information and register for courses via university
website. The finance module facilitated online payment. The
document generator module contributed in creating different
kinds of files for courses. The resource module allowed easy
and successful scheduling of trainers and venues. And finally
the reporting module helped in report generation regarding all
university operations.
The university benefited greatly from this system. First, it
helped in decreased administration costs by automating many
important processes. Second, it contributed in the growth of
the business by facilitating 24/7 online services such as
registration and payment. Third, the integration of different
systems helped in reducing cost by removing the need to enter
data into several systems. And finally, it helped the university
track marketing initiatives which served the development of
marketing strategies.
B. BJC Healthcare
Established in 2009, BJC healthcare managed to become
one of United States’ leading healthcare non-profit
organizations. In healthcare learning is an ongoing process.
BJC needed a learning management system (LMS) that would
help in providing training in a flexible way. After careful
considerations, BJC selected Cornerstone to provide the LMS.
Once the LMS was implemented, training was provided
using a centralized online portal. The system was easy to use
as the interface was very similar to a regular webpage. And
graphics and videos were easily added.
The results were obvious as soon as the system was
implemented. First, the training load deceased on the staff.
The staff could easily login to access the portal anytime they
wished. Second, the organization was able to provide a
standardized workforce through better training.
Also,
managers were able to easily track the training progress.
The departments getting the most benefit from technology
outside classrooms are Computer and Information Sciences
(CIS) department and Business administration department. In
the CIS department, almost all instructors have a website
where the instructors upload course material, post
announcements, and any other important information they
want to communicate to the students. In the Business
administration department, most instructors are using Yahoo
groups to upload course material and post important
announcements. All other departments in PSCW rely on
traditional methods for delivering course material such as
providing printed handouts or providing a copy of the material
in the copy center. As for announcements or group discussions
outside the class, they rely on face to face communication, or
phones, or emails.
As a first step, PSCW should implement a solution for
communicating outside the class and providing course
material. The suggested solution is Yahoo groups. There are
several reasons why Yahoo groups is a good option for
PSCW. First, it is a free service which provides the chance of
trial without huge investment. Also, it is easy and simple to
use which reduces great training cost. Another reason is that
some students and faculty are already familiar with it. Once all
departments have adopted this approach, PCSW can introduce
another e-learning feature according to the needs
IV. RECOMMENDATIONS
REFERENCES
After getting a clear picture about cloud computing
applications in e-leaning, here are some recommendations to
apply research results in College for Women in Prince Sultan
University (PSCW). Currently most departments in PSCW are
using technology to conduct classes. Most popular
technologies used are smart boards, projectors, and
powerpoint slide shows. However, there is very little use of
technology outside the classroom for activities like
distributing course materials.
V. CONCLUSION
For many reasons, like high costs and risks, acquiring an elearning solution can seem to be an unfeasible for the
organization. In such cases, cloud computing e-learning
solutions can be implemented. As the research elaborated,
there are a lot of cloud computing solutions available for elearning. Some solutions provide a single function while
others are integrated solutions that support all important
features of e-learning. All solutions have been implemented
successfully many times before. Therefore, cloud computing
e-learning solutions should be seriously considered when
developing e-learning strategy for any organization or
institute. There is also great opportunity for further research in
this area.
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