Towards Mobile Learning Applications Integration with Learning Management Systems

Abstract

ICT in education innovators are creating new kinds of learning applications using all sorts of new technologies available: Web 2.0, Mobile, Gaming platforms and even Virtual Worlds. Mobile learning applications (m-learning) take advantage of the ubiquitousness of the mobile devices to explore new kinds of ways of learning. Learning Management Systems (LMS) are a consolidated kind of Web based learning software that over the last 15 years have evolved to meet the needs of the learning institution to basic, common online educational platforms. The LMS creates a Web based space for every course (Virtual classroom) that can be used to complement the presence learning activities (Blended Learning) or to fully deliver the course contents (Online Learning). Nowadays most learning organizations have integrated a LMS with their information systems (back-office, academic management, etc.) to a point where all learning activities (virtual and non virtual) have a counterpart (syllabus, assessments, scheduling, etc.) in the LMS virtual classrooms. M-learning is not destined to replace the current Web based learning applications, but to extend it, that is why Mobile Applications will need to be able to integrate with the LMS. It also makes sense to be able to access some of the services of the LMS Virtual Classroom from the mobile device. But, to accomplish this goal might not be a simple task. This chapter analyzes the complexities involved to achieve that goal, and describes some standard interoperability architectures and related research and development projects that will allow this kind of interaction between the LMS and the m-learning applications.