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A distributed service oriented e-learning environment based on grid technology
Abstract
In recent years, there has been a growing interest to reduce costs of establishing learning environment systems. Few administrators have the resources necessary to address e-learning complex issues in a way that enable wide-spread standardize use of the technology across the institutions. E-learning systems consist of complex activities. Most of them are being designed based on client/server, peer to peer; and recently Web Services architectures. These systems have major drawbacks because of their limitations in scalability, availability, distribution of computing power and storage system, as well as sharing information between users that contribute in these systems. This paper will outline the efforts that have be done to address these issues by proposing the use of grid technology as scalable, flexible, coordinated and secure resource sharing among geographically distributed individuals and institutions, in the context of e-learning. Meanwhile, by imple- menting our middleware based on web service technology, we are able to reuse functionalities. This way, many service providers and content providers can contribute in developing a very large scale integrated e-learning system.
... These systems have major drawbacks because of their limitations in scalability, availability, distribution of computing power and storage system, as well as sharing information between users. A successful e-learning system is one that addresses all issues for all type of users and should be scalable, available, interoperable, extensible, and adaptable, and indeed, it should be based on novel technologies (Kashfi & Razzazi, 2006). Higher education institutions need to establish an e-learning infrastructure that requires the development of a virtual learning environment that helps learners to gain access to educational materials anytime and anywhere (Munirah et al, 2012) in a format they prefer and using a device of their choice. ...
... These systems have major drawbacks because of their limitations in scalability, availability, distribution of computing power and storage system, as well as sharing information between users. A successful e-learning system is one that addresses all issues for all type of users and should be scalable, available, interoperable, extensible, and adaptable, and indeed, it should be based on novel technologies (Kashfi & Razzazi, 2006). As noted by Resmer (1998), one of the main objectives of e-learning systems is to make information accessible to any type of users. ...
... This will improve accessibility of the system. The system should also be flexible, interoperable, extensible and adaptable as ascerted by Kashfi & Razzazi (2006) so to meet varied needs of users and accessible by any device including phones and tablets from anywhere. This will improve ubiquitous (mobile) learning allowing students and lectures ro access the system even while on transit and allow students to customize their learning environment based on pedagogical and personal choices (Palanivel & Kuppuswami, 2011). ...
Master of Science in Information Technology Thesis
... A content sharing platform for distributed e-Learning networks is proposed using grid computing techniques by H. Kashfi and M. R. Razzazi in their paper [16]. The proposed platform is a web service based middleware which consists of four main layers. ...
... The top most layer is the service discovery layer. At the service invocation layer, there are representing agents for e-Learning activities [16]. These agents facilitate to share e-Learning materials. ...
e-Learning is a popular research area in the modern era. Most of the existing e-Learning systems are web based and developed as traditional centralized client/server systems [1], [22], [23]. However, there are few Peer-to-Peer distributed e-Learning platforms in existence. For any e-Learning system content searching and sharing is important. In a distributed e- Learning network locating and sharing learning materials is still a challenge due to high resource and time requirements. In this paper, we propose a lightweight, scalable and low-cost digital content sharing platform which facilitates for general internet-based users to search and share e-Learning materials in an unstructured P2P network. The proposed platform addresses the learning martial search latency problem in distributed e-Learning networks by introducing content advertising and local indexing.
... Web Service technology has emerged as a new paradigm of distributed computing. The Service-based architectures are layered on the top of standard transfer protocols for transmitting messages that currently, the most common ones are the XML-based specification SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol), UDDI (Universal Description, Discovery and Integration), and WSDL (Web Service Description Language) [5] [12].E-learning is a general term used to refer to a form of learning in which the instructor and student are separated by space or time where the gap between the two is bridged through the use of online technologies. ...
... Web Service technology has emerged as a new paradigm of distributed computing. The Service-based architectures are layered on the top of standard transfer protocols for transmitting messages that currently, the most common ones are the XML-based specification SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol), UDDI (Universal Description, Discovery and Integration), and WSDL (Web Service Description Language) [5] [12]. ...
Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) defines how to integrate widely disparate applications for a world that is web-based and uses multiple implementation platforms. In this paper we propose an e-learning management system with Web services oriented framework. The system will be an open source application with client-scripting facility. It also supports the cross browser and it is fully integrated with different databases; MS SQL Server, MS Access, Oracle, and LDAP. The key values of Interoperability, durability, compatibility, manageability, dynamic reusability, and accessibility in the proposed architecture enhance the future e-learning systems to communicate more efficiently and share data more easily.
... Grid is already being successfully used in many scientific applications to process and store the vast amount of data. In [8], the authors have proposed and worked on a new framework for e-learning, using grid computing technology called as gBeL and also opened a new horizon to e-learning according to [9,10,11]. ...
E-Learning is the process of extending the resources to different locations by using multimedia communications. Many e-Learning methodologies are available and based on client-server, peer-to-peer and using Grid Computing concepts. To establish e-Learning process, systems should satisfy these needs, i) high storage for storing, ii) high network throughput for faster transfer and iii) efficient streaming of materials. The first and second needs are satisfied by using Grid and P2P technologies and the third need can be achieved by an efficient video compression algorithm. This study proposes a framework, called Optimized Grid Based e-Learning (OgBeL), which adopts both Grid and P2P technology. To reduce the e-Learning material size for efficient streaming, a light weight compression algorithm called dWave is embedded in OgBeL. The behavior of framework is analyzed in terms of time taken to transfer files using in-use grid protocols and in networks combined with grid and P2P.
... Grid is already being successfully used in many scientific applications to process and store the vast amount of data. E- Learning can adapt to: @BULLET Use power of distributed computers in grid network to create virtual labs @BULLET Use distributed contents to create a completely customized class for learners @BULLET Make possible collaboration between education resources, contents and services within grid network In our prior work gBeL (Grid basede-Learning) (Manjusha et al., 2011), proposed and developed a new framework for e-learning using grid computing technology and this opened a new horizon to e-learning (Pankratius and Vossen, 2003; Kashfi and Razzazi, 2006; Nassiry and Kardan, 2009). Typical examples where current e-learning systems reach their limits are, consider a medical student who wants to examine the human body and prepare for practical exercise. ...
E-Learning is the process of extending the resources to different locations by using multimedia
communications. Many e-Learning methodologies are available and based on client-server, peer-to-peer and using Grid Computing concepts. To establish e-Learning process, systems should satisfy these needs, i) high storage for storing, ii) high network throughput for faster transfer and iii) efficient streaming of materials. The first and second
needs are satisfied by using Grid and P2P technologies and the third need can be achieved by an efficient video compression algorithm. This study proposes a framework, called Optimized Grid Based e-Learning (OgBeL), which adopts both Grid and P2P technology. To reduce the e-Learning material size for efficient streaming, a light weight compression algorithm called dWave is embedded in OgBeL. The behavior of framework is analyzed in terms of time taken to transfer files using in-use grid protocols and in networks combined with grid and P2P.
... A layered architecture to manage data, information and knowledge to enhance the education system is presented in [8]. In [9], an e-learning middleware is proposed including agents, web services and Grid technology. Except the basic e-learning services, this middleware actually uses core Grid services as additional e-learning services. ...
In recent years the Internet learners can freely absorb new knowledge without restrictions on time or place. At present, most E-Learning environment architectures use single computers or servers as their structural foundations. Traditional E-Learning systems have major drawback because of their limitations in scalability, availability, distribution of computing power and huge storage systems, as well as sharing information between users. In this context, the use of Grid technology reveals its utility and availability, as scalable, flexible coordinated and secure resource sharing among geographically distributed individuals or institutions, in the perspective of E-Learning system. The major focus of this paper is to design and develop different types of E-Learning services in Computational Grid Environment. This proposed system is able to handle large multimedia learning materials using the features of Grid Technology.
... A layered architecture to manage data, information and knowledge to enhance the education system is presented in [8]. In [9], an e-learning middleware is proposed including agents, web services and Grid technology. Except the basic e-learning services, this middleware actually uses core Grid services as additional e-learning services. ...
This chapter presents how Grid can be used to build an e-learning
framework which is flexible, convenient, cost-effective, and adaptable. Grid technologies
are appealing due to the fact that the requirements for developing such
framework match very closely what a Grid can offer in terms of computational and
storage resources. On the other hand, agent-based technology can make e-learning
Grid more efficient. A few autonomous, co-operative agents with predefined
functionalities and responsibilities provide more powerful and reliable e-learning
system. The objective of this chapter is to accomplish a blended e-learning Grid
framework, where the framework is designed as a multi-agent system integrated
with Grid. This chapter also presents the implementation of an e-learning system as
Grid services and analysis of the benefits of e-learning Grid system.
... The technique is applicable during the process of searching for learning resources, the adaptation of course delivery to the goals, interests, and knowledge that are stated in the form of preferences. Kashfi and Rasais [15] proposed a service based architecture for developing a distributed e-learning system that uses a grid technology. A grid technology is suitable when the resources need be shared by direct access to computers, software, and other resources. ...
In recent years, there has been a growing interest to implement the integration of information systems running on different environments. And most of information systems are being designed based on client/server, peer to peer; and recently agent architectures. These systems have major drawbacks because of their limitations in scalability, availability, distribution of computing power and storage system, as well as sharing information between users that contribute in these systems. This paper will use the web service technology as scalable, flexible, coordinated and secure resource sharing among distributed individuals and institutions, and the different information systems. Meanwhile, by implementing the encapsulation of information system based on multi-agent technology and the integration of these web services, we are able to reuse the functionalities of different information systems. In this way, many service providers and content providers can contribute in developing a very large scale integrated information system platform.
Virtual learning has opened new vistas in meta-information handling. Large collections of portfolios and e-books, large communities of e-people and processes over widespread virtual campuses impose a new management strategy. The most appropriate solution for a global university is to use a grid architecture based on distributed warehouses in order to use its distributed processing power. This paper describes the state of the art in grid computing methodologies and reviews grid models to support the global university paradigm.
E-learning has been a topic of increasing interest in re-cent years, due mainly to the fact that increased scheduling flexibility as well as tool support can now be offered at a widely affordable level. As a result, many e-learning plat-forms and systems have been developed and commercial-ized; these are based on client-server, peer-to-peer, or, more recently, Web service architectures, with a major drawback being their limitations in scalability, availability, and dis-tribution of computing power as well as storage capabili-ties. This paper tries to remedy this situation by proposing the use of grid computing in the context of e-learning. In particular, it is shown what advantages a utilization of grid computing may have to offer and which applications could benefit from it. Moreover, an architecture for an e-learning grid is outlined, and the notion of a grid learning object is introduced.
E-learning platforms and their functionalities resemble one another to a large extend. Recent standardization efforts in e-learning concentrate on the reuse of learning material, but not on the reuse of application functionalities. Our LearnServe system builds on the assumption that a typical learning system is a collection of activities or processes that interact with learners and suitably chosen content, the latter in the form of learning objects. This enables us to subdivide the main functionality of an e-learning system into a number of stand-alone applications, which can then be realized individually or in groups as Web services. The implementation of these services enables a reuse of functionalities of an e-learning platform. The LearnServe system is based on common standards, both in the area of e-learning and in the area of Web services. The realization in a distributed fashion leads to a number of challenges including the maintenance of content and services, but has, on the other hand, potentials like direct integration of e-learning services into business applications or the access of learning services by different devises if there is an appropriate client for that device.
In order to build an open, large-scale and inter-operable multi-agent system in the context of Grid computing, we are looking at integrating agents technologies with Web Services. In this paper, we address this concern for SoFAR, the Southampton Framework for Agent Research. We focus on all technical aspects of creating, deploying, and publishing agents as Web Services. Not only have we been able to translate SoFAR ontologies and agent behavioural descriptions respectively into XML Schemas and WSDL, but also we have reexpressed in terms of XML Schema validation a pattern matching oriented query language used in discovery mechanism. Using this approach, an agent in the SoFAR framework can be deployed and advertised through a standard discovery mechanism such as UDDI.
"Grid" computing has emerged as an important new field, distinguished from conventional distributed computing by its focus on large-scale resource sharing, innovative applications, and, in some cases, high-performance orientation. In this article, we define this new field. First, we review the "Grid problem," which we define as flexible, secure, coordinated resource sharing among dynamic collections of individuals, institutions, and resources-what we refer to as virtual organizations. In such settings, we encounter unique authentication, authorization, resource access, resource discovery, and other challenges. It is this class of problem that is addressed by Grid technologies. Next, we present an extensible and open Grid architecture, in which protocols, services, application programming interfaces, and software development kits are categorized according to their roles in enabling resource sharing. We describe requirements that we believe any such mechanisms must satisfy, and we discuss the central role played by the intergrid protocols that enable interoperability among different Grid systems. Finally, we discuss how Grid technologies relate to other contemporary technologies, including enterprise integration, application service provider, storage service provider, and peer-to-peer computing. We maintain that Grid concepts and technologies complement and have much to contribute to these other approaches.
In an increasing number of scientific disciplines, large data collections are emerging as important community resources. In this paper, we introduce design principles for a data management architecture called the data grid. We describe two basic services that we believe are fundamental to the design of a data grid, namely, storage systems and metadata management. Next, we explain how these services can be used to develop higher-level services for replica management and replica selection. We conclude by describing our initial implementation of data grid functionality.
E-learning takes advantage of the new features offered by Web services: integration of heterogeneous applications, publicity of available services, etc. As the adoption of this new technology increases it will become necessary to offer intermediary platforms that make it easier to find and locate services, and composing new services from the existing ones. Additionally, it will also be necessary to provide value-added services like auditing, security or management. We present a proposal for a standard-based intermediary framework for Web services.
