Abstract
This paper describes the development of an open source Learning Object Repository (LOR), named eNOSHA (eLearning Neutral Object Storage with a Holistic Approach.), at University of Colombo School of Computing (UCSC), Sri Lanka. The e-Learning Centre (eLC) at UCSC has been developing learning content for a nationwide e-Learning Bachelor of Information Technology degree (eBIT) and a preparatory programme for the eBIT program (The Foundation in Information Technology, FIT). Since eBIT started in 2002, a lot of learning content has been developed in-house and there was a need for a repository to support storing and reusing of learning content. The aim of the paper is to present the development of eNOSHA in regards to three key concepts, flexibility, reusability and user-friendliness. Based on a requirement analysis carried out in December 2008, a plan was drafted for the development and implementation of the system. A participatory approach was used where users have been involved in the design, evaluation and implementation. Based on the testing of the system we gained a positive response regarding the searchability and reuse of content. Tests have, however, shown that additional features are needed to be implemented to improve the usability of the system, Even though the system has been developed based on the needs of UCSC, one of the objectives has always been to make it context independent. Internal tests conclude that the system is flexible enough to work in different contexts but the design may need some minor changes once tested in other organizations or cultures.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/icter.v3i1.2845ICTer Vol.3 No.1 2010
Highlights
In the design of e-Learning content, it is important to have a constructive environment connecting all stakeholders in the e-content development process
ELC is using a Learning Management Systems (LMS) which is a customized version of a Moodle system, it is not possible to promote sharing among the stakeholders since there are no appropriate mechanisms to store and search for the stored content
Focus groups consisting of staff from University of Colombo School of Computing (UCSC) and external project members from Sweden have been conducted on several occasions, both as physical meeting, and as distance meetings, using tools for video and voice conferencing
Summary
During the last four years the e-Learning Centre (eLC) of UCSC has developed a large number of online courses for several academic programs of different educational levels. At the time of writing this paper, eLC has developed more than 45 online courses and continuously upgrading, customizing and developing new courses to meet specific and new user requirements In this type of environment, it is hard to build one to one communication among all participants. ELC is using a LMS which is a customized version of a Moodle system, it is not possible to promote sharing among the stakeholders since there are no appropriate mechanisms to store and search for the stored content It is, important that the system helps with the internal content development process. The aim of this paper is to present and describe the development of the eNOSHA system regarding three key concepts, flexibility, reusability and user-friendliness. In the last section we conclude our tests of the system including future work that is needed
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal on Advances in ICT for Emerging Regions (ICTer)
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
