A Perspective on E-learning and Cloud Computing

Abstract

Computer based laboratories are an important component of the e-learning environment. With the introduction of Cloud Computing technologies more and more laboratories move into the cloud, known as virtual laboratories. While there are many benefits for using virtual laboratories, there is also an increase complexity regarding the usage of them. There are many cloud management systems (Cloud MS) which add an extra layer of complexity to the e-learning experience both from the perspective of the teacher and of the student. The purpose of the study is to identify ways to improve the learning process through the use of cloud computing technologies, while reducing the complexity associated with these technologies the main focus is about the requesting, creation, deployment, monitoring and management of virtual laboratories using Cloud Computing. IBM Tivoli Service Automation Manager and VMware Hypervisor are used for building a private cloud. Moodle is used as the Course Management System (Course MS). The proposed Virtual Laboratories Cloud System (VLCS) offers one possible way to improve the learning process by using Cloud Computing to offer Virtual Laboratories as a Service (VLaaS). The VLCS has the main goal of offering virtual laboratories while increasing the cloud resources utilization. The proposed VLCS creates a new link between cloud computing and e-learning by providing virtual laboratories as a service to as many users as possible while increasing the utilization of private cloud resources. This approach offers the opportunity to enhance the e-learning experience with new ways of teaching.