Developing Virtual Learning Environment 2.0 Using Web Services Approach

Abstract

Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) plays an important role as the online platform for education in recent years. Due to the significant increase of the shift of focus in utilizing VLE in comparing to the traditional learning environment, modularity and reusability of the services need to be increased as well. Most of the current existing VLEs are being developed using the system-based approach whereby if an education institute needs a VLE, they need to purchase the whole complete system and install it at their IT server. This limits the personalization of their VLEs in terms of user interface design and functionalities for both students and teachers (e.g. learning and coaching services). In considering the reusability, interoperability and integration of the services, Web 2.0 is adopted to improve the accessibility and flexibility of the web services. In this paper, we propose to develop VLE 2.0 using web services approach whereby the services implemented can be easily invoked, composed and reused according to the service consumer's requirements. Using VLE 2.0, education institutes can build their very own VLEs by consuming the developed VLE web services.