Mobile Cloud Computing Based Technologies for Enhancing E-learning Content Delivery and Sharing in Higher Learning Institutions in Tanzania using Learner-Centered Approach

Abstract

Electronic learning (E-learning) in Higher Learning Institutions (HLIs) offers a cost-effective teaching and learning that support social interactivity, flexibility, context sensitivity, and active participation of learners in learning activities. The objective of this study was to investigate the challenges facing the traditional E-learning tools and leverage the advanced capacity of Mobile Cloud Computing (MCC) to enhance E-learning service delivery and sharing of learning resources focusing in learner-centered approach. Also, the evolvement of mobile computing devices such as smartphones, Personal Digital Assistance (PDA), and laptops owned by learners bring prospects in overcoming the inherent challenges facing HLIs in developing countries such as shortage of computer laboratories and network resources.Consequently, this study proposes MCC-based E-learning content delivery and sharing to augment higher learning institutions with limited resource setting in developing countries. The main benefits of MCC-based E-learning include, first, augment traditional LMS by provisioning abundant processing capacity and storage in the cloud that guarantee unlimited learning materials available for learners and instructors; Second, improves performance in local Learning Management System (LMS) servers by outsourcing execution and storage into the cloud especially when resource-intensive E-learning contents such as games, Virtual Reality (VR), and video streaming are used for learning; third, supports multi-platforms to execute the workload of various E-learning applications in the cloud which is potential for E-learning resource sharing; and fourth, guarantee cost-effective E-learning content delivery and sharing. Keywords: Mobile cloud computing, E-learning, content delivery, Learner-centered learning DOI: 10.7176/JIEA/13-2-03 Publication date: March 31 st 2023