Open Source E-learning Platform Research Articles

Student Readiness and Acceptance of eLearning Platforms: The Case of UDOM eClassroom of the University of Dodoma

Objectives: To identify factors influencing students' acceptance of the UDOM eClassroom system at the University of Dodoma, focusing on the pandemic situation during and after the COVID-19 impacts in Tanzania. Methods: This study used the Technological Acceptance Model (TAM) as the theoretical framework and extended it by incorporating constructs such as Management support, Facilitating conditions, and Subjective norms from the other models. The model was tested using survey responses from 101 students (n=101) taking diplomas and bachelor's degrees from various programs at the College of Informatics and Virtual Education (CIVE). Findings: Quantitative analysis revealed that perceived usefulness (p-value=0.000), ease of use (p-value=0.000), management support(p-value=0.000), facilitating condition (p-value=0.000), and student attitude (p-value=0.000) have significantly influenced the students' UDOM eClassroom acceptance. The subjective norm (p-value=0.224) did not influence the acceptance of students' UDOM eClassroom. The study's findings will support educational institutions in identifying the strategies needed to boost learning platform usage and achieve the intended outcomes in educational institutions. Novelity: This study has focused on locally developed eLearning systems by the higher education institution specifically UDOM eClassroom which has different support structures, user experience, and resource constraints compared to the available open-source eLearning platforms such as Moodle and Blackboard. Keywords: Student acceptance, eLearning system, UDOM eClassroom, Digital learning, Educational institutions

INTELLIGENT SYSTEM FOR EVALUATING E-LEARNING PLATFORMS

The major consequence of Internet using has been the rapid growth of technology mediated distance learning at each level of education. Open-source e-learning platforms, like course management systems, learning management systems or learning content management systems have lately become an obvious choice whenever an e-learning infrastructure is being designed. Due to the diversity of these platforms with many characteristics and to the constraints of an educational institution or even enterprise, the task of choosing a suitable platform that meets particular requirements is not trivial. The main purpose of this paper is to present an intelligent system (an expert system) supporting this decision-making. The knowledge base contains facts regarding characteristics of some open-source e-learning platforms (ATutor, LON-CAPA, Moodle, DotLRN/OpenACS, Sakai, Claroline and Docebo) and rules for reasoning about decision-making. CLIPS language is used for building the knowledge base for the intelligent system and C# language for the graphical user interface.

Smart Learning based on Moodle E-learning Platform and Digital Skills for University Students

The education system is facing new challenges and requirements as a result of the rapid and complex changes in the world. It has become necessary to change and improve the current system for online learning to keep pace with these changes. E-learning is of increasing importance in higher education and learning communities as standard components in many courses. Especially with the great development in technology, which the Corona pandemic had a great impact on its acceleration and increase in dealing with it. So the COVID-19 affected the whole world also affected education, so education is no longer limited to a specific place and time but it is now possible at any time and place. So even education has changed from face-to-face education to distance education. In this paper, Moodle is used to design an open-source e-learning platform that supports both the student and the teacher by providing services that facilitate teaching, and educational-related administrative tasks and effectiveness. In addition, to know how it affects digital skills which considered one of the most important things related to the Internet recently. The findings obtained as a result of the research are given in detail in the results section.

The Making of a Joint E-Learning Platform for Remote Sensing Education: Experiences and Lessons Learned

E-learning is widely used in academic education, and currently, the COVID-19 pandemic is increasing the demand for e-learning resources. This report describes the results achieved and the experiences gained in the Erasmus+ CBHE (Capacity Building in Higher Education) project “Innovation on Remote Sensing Education and Learning (IRSEL)”. European and Asian universities created an innovative open source e-learning platform in the field of remote sensing. Twenty modules tailored to remote sensing study programs at the four Asian partner universities were developed. Principles of remote sensing as well as specific thematic applications are part of the modules, and a knowledge pool of e-learning teaching and learning materials was created. The focus was given to case studies covering a broad range of applications. Piloting with students gave evidence about the usefulness and quality of the developed modules. In particular, teachers and students who tested the modules appreciated the balance of theory and practice. Currently, the modules are being integrated into the curricula of the participating Asian universities. The content will be available to a broader public.

Diagnostic interobserver variability in Crohn's disease- and ulcerative colitis-associated dysplasia: a multicenter digital survey from the IG-IBD Pathologists Group.

Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis, two forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), are chronic and relapsing conditions of the gastrointestinal tract both characterized by long lasting chronic inflammation and increased risk of dysplasia and colorectal cancer (CRC). The aim of our study was to evaluate the interobserver agreement about IBD-associated dysplasia among pathologists belonging to the Italian Group for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IG-IBD P). The present multicenter survey was performed using telepathology, supported by an open source E-learning platform. Biopsy specimens from 30 colonoscopies and from 20 patients were included. The glass slides of any case, including clinical and endoscopic data, were digitalized and uploaded on the E-learning platform. All the digital slides were grouped in 54 diagnostic "blocks". Blinded histopathological evaluation on all the digital slides was performed by 20 gastrointestinal pathologists. Closed-ended questions about (1) the occurrence of IBD; (2) the classification of IBD (as UC or CD); (3) the presence of active versus quiescent disease; (4) the presence of dysplasia; (5) the possible association of dysplasia with the sites of disease (dysplasia-associated lesion or mass-DALM vs adenoma-like mass-ALM); (6) the grading of dysplasia according to the ECCO guidelines (negative, indefinite, low grade, high grade categories) and (7) the presence of associated serrated features, were proposed in each case. Inter-observer agreement was evaluated by mean agreement percentage and kappa statistic, when suitable. The diagnosis of IBD was confirmed in 19 of 20 patients, 17 of 19 being classified as UC, 2 as CD. The mean interobserver agreement percentages about (1) the evidence of IBD, (2) the presence of either UC or CD and (3) the activity grading resulted to be 80%, 69% and 86%, respectively. Dysplasia was detected in 8/20 patients, with moderate agreement between pathologists (mean 72%, k 0.48). Particularly, low grade dysplasia was found in 13 biopsies (combined k 0.38), whereas high grade dysplasia in 8 (combined k 0.47). When the endoscopic and histopathological data were combined, features consistent with DALM were found in 6 of 20 patients with low grade dysplasia and those consistent with ALM in 2 patients with low grade dysplasia in a single biopsy (mean agreement: 86%). An associated serrated pattern was discovered in 4 patients (7 biopsies). Our study showed moderate interobserver agreement about the histopathological detection and classification of IBD-associated dysplasia. Further efforts should be undertaken to integrate the histopathological data with both the ancillary tests and molecular investigations.

An e-Learning Model for Teaching Mathematics on an Open Source Learning Platform

Throughout the world, mathematics plays a vital role for the educational and developmental aspirations of any country. The quest to teach mathematical knowledge in a viable and effective way so as to induce creativity and applicability among learners is an ongoing challenge, especially for developing countries. A better understanding of how students learn mathematics coupled with effective application of mathematical e-learning can enhance meaningful learning of mathematics and make the subject more exciting. In this note, we introduce a mathematical e-learning model suitable for the modern digital era based on the learning theories of social constructivism, social realism, and connectivity. We then discuss the feasibility of implementing the model on an open source e-learning platform. Our findings reveal that the platform offers a developer’s tool for coding and customizing templates to attain higher levels of usage and interactivity in which learners can create and control learning objects while they observe the results.

E-learning and blended learning in textile engineering education: a closed feedback loop approach

E-learning has gained a significant role in typical education and in professional training, thanks to the flexibility it offers to the time and location parameters of the education event framework. Purely e-learning scenarios are mostly limited either to Open University-type higher education institutions or to graduate level or professional degrees; blended learning scenarios are progressively becoming popular thanks to their balanced approach. The aim of the present work is to propose approaches that exploit the e-learning and the blended-learning scenarios for Textile Engineering education programmes, especially for multi-institutional ones. The “E-Team” European MSc degree programme organized by AUTEX is used as a case study. The proposed solution is based on (i) a free and open-source e-learning platform (moodle) and (ii) blended learning educational scenarios. Educational challenges addressed include student engagement, student error / failure handling, as well as collaborative learning promotion and support.

Didactic and Pedagogical View of E-learning Activities Free University of Bozen-bolzano

In the knowledge and communication age, the contribution of technology, especially web 2.0, has transformed the concept of distance learning into that of e-learning and online learning. These are based on the use of CSCL (Computer Supported Collaborative Learning) and characterised by a pedagogical approach focussed on the learner, cooperative building of knowledge, and increasing the diversity of its learner base. Online learning represents a considerable opportunity for universities to promote larger and more democratic access to intellectual resources, reducing the social gap that is often related to on-site learning. However, using e-learning educational methods require careful consideration of different aspects and problems. This paper starts with a description of the most widely used open source e-learning platforms in Italian Universities. Furthermore, it proposes an analysis of the pedagogical and didactic potential of the tools offered by the Moodle platform and a reflection about the need to use guidelines to evaluate accessibility, also with reference to the Universal Instructional Design principles. In the final part, a study about the concrete use of specific Moodle activities in some courses at the University of Bolzano (empirical research and verification on field) is presented with the purpose of identifying methodological indications that could help to implement the educational and inclusive value of the online contexts.

The Introduction of Open and Free Academic Courses in Conservation of Cultural Heritage in Greece

The 4-year Bachelor Degree in Conservation-Restoration at the Technological Educational Institute (TEI) of Athens has the difficult task of preparing its students to become professional Conservator-Restorers with knowledge and skills in six specializations of either archaeological (objects) conservation or in conservation works of art. Thus, the academic staff of the Department has the challenge to prepare its students to be qualified in practice and knowledge of many specializations of conservation of Cultural Heritage (CH) within its 4 year program. To meet this demand, many members of the academic staff are participating in a project co-financed by Greece and the European Union (European Social Fund) called ‘Open Academic Courses’ (2013-2015). The goal is to prepare their course material in Greek as freely accessible digital educational content in the form of thirteen PowerPoint lectures with or without video lectures per course offered via the open source eLearning platform ‘Open eClass’ hosted by the TEI of Athens. The paper describes how the courses were prepared, the challenges involved in its preparation, as well as the benefits to the students.

Design of Tutorial Activities and Homework Assignments for a Large-Enrollment Introductory Course in Control Systems

This paper presents an integrated design for an undergraduate introductory course control systems at Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH). The core features consist in combining traditional lecture and student led tutorials with weekly homework assignments which have been designed to encourage continuous learning efforts through a review of previous tutorial sessions and a preview on forthcoming lectures. The homework concept is implemented via an open source e-learning platform. A portable DC motor, available through the university library system, serves as an experimental setup, which is tightly integrated into lecture, tutorials and homework. Details on the implementation of the proposed design are given and it is evaluated based on data, which is e.g. collected by evaluation forms completed by students at the end of term.

大人数クラス英語授業に効果的なeラーニングを活用したアウトプット活動

This paper discusses an output activity for a large-size English class with students of various levels of English proficiency. This output activity was created using free lesson construction software Hot Potatoes through consideration of the results and problems found in our previous research, and based on findings in Second Language Acquisition (SLA). The activity was posted on the open-source e-learning platform Moodle, and students checked their output using their own personal computers after having completed face-to-face reconstruction practice. As a result, student reaction suggested that this activity could benefit large-sized and mixed-ability English classes.

MOODLE EN LA ENSEÑANZA PRESENCIAL Y MIXTA DEL INGLÉS EN CONTEXTOS UNIVERSITARIOS (MOODLE IN BLENDED AND FACE-TO-FACE INTERACTIVE TEACHING OF ENGLISH AT THE UNIVERSITY LEVEL)

Since 2005-06 Moodle has been used institutionally as an open source e-learning platform both in a blended and face-to-face environment at the Universidad de Extremadura (Spain). It has become an essential tool for accessing material created by teachers. It is also an instrument to reach information and resources on the Internet. This article shows the conclusions obtained after analysing the effectiveness of Moodle in the context of the English language courses conducted at the Centro Universitario de Mérida in a face-to-face teaching environment (English in Computing, English in Land-Surveying and Technical English in Industrial Design) and in a blended-learning format (Information and Communication Technologies Applied to the Language Learning and English Online).

Moodle-Based Software to Support the Learning of Web Programming

New educational trends demand learning processes that fulfill the requirements and interests of students. In this sense, developing new activities focused on specific themes for the open source e-learning platform Moodle, provides the added value of offering their integrated use in the learning environment. Basing on this assumption, Moodle applications for checking JavaScript and PHP codes have been developed, allowing improving the learning process in web programming University courses. These applications offer the students information about the committed errors and about the key terms of the programming language. Moreover, they also gather information about the type of errors committed by each student so that the teacher can graphically observe which concepts are more problematic and need to be clarified. The paper also describes the result of a qualitative analysis of its use in several courses offered in study programmes of the University of Valladolid.

OWLearn: An open source e-learning platform supporting adaptivity and personalization

This paper, based on an analysis of current research and relevant implementations proposes the implementation of OWLearn an adaptive and personalized e-Learning system developed with open source technologies. Adaptation and personalization received v

Chamilo 2.0: A Second Generation Open Source E-learning and Collaboration Platform

Dokeos used to be one of the leading open source learning platforms. It is well known for the wide range of functions it offers and especially for its ease of use. In many ways it is however a typical first generation learning management system (LMS) consisting of a set of loosely integrated tools. The original design of this LMS has a number of serious drawbacks and limitations. Because of this it was decided to opt for a completely new system that would use state of the art development techniques. The new version is built on a repository of reusable simple and complex content objects, not only documents. The web LCMS is only one of the possible applications that run on that repository. One of the other applications that can make use of the same set of objects is the portfolio. Functions that used to be modules within a course can also simply be used as applications, e.g. forum, assessment, wiki. 
 All functions such as creating, changing, editing and deleting an object are basically the same platform wide. As a result all modules and applications interact in a far more consistent and less bug prone way. This also greatly simplifies the user interface. This interface that is common to all objects in all tools and modules, makes a number of publication features available that were not available in all tools before, such as categorization, selection of target groups or users, visibility and period of publication. This is certainly adding to Chamiloâ??s ambition to be a user friendly, flexible, fast and consistent platform. 
 The adaptability of the new system with integrated portal functions and a framework for web services makes it a suitable instrument not only for universities and schools, but also for the business world. In this way Chamilo offers a platform that is ready for future developments in a globalized world where life long learning and collaboration will be central.

An adaptive and personalized open source e-learning platform

This paper proposes the implementation of an adaptive and personalized e-Learning system which is based on open source software and technologies. Adaptation and personalization received very little coverage in e-learning platforms. An e-learning course should not be designed without matching students’ and teachers’ needs and objectives as closely as possible, and without adapting during course progression. The proposed open source e-learning system offers profiling and personalization services for the teacher and student while at the same time adapts the educational content and tools in the basis of the acquired user's profile.

EifFE-L meets ECLIPSE: an integrated open source e-learning environment

This work reports on the process of integration of the EifFE-L open source e-learning platform within the Eclipse open source development platform, with the aim to create an open framework for both distance education and knowledge management. The fusion of the two environments can lead several advantages: EifFE-L has earned in fexibility having acquired the possibility to take advantage of a powerful and easy to use development environment and has thus be been able to evolve following the ever growing requirements of e-learning; Eclipse has made a further step ahead in the direction of becoming an e-learning tool for the programming languages and for the management of virtual laboratories and simulation environments.

Scottish and Austrian Perspectives on Delivering a Master's

This article explores the transition in course delivery from a paper-based format to blended learning, and highlights the role of the virtual learning environment (VLE) in this process. Professional practice in postgraduate programmes in particular is investigated during this transition stage at the University of Dundee (UoD) in Scotland, and the University of Applied Sciences Technikum Wien (UASTW) in Austria. In this transition, UoD is developing and implementing a ‘Master's Framework’ supported by the VLE, ‘MyDundee’, which is built on the Blackboard e-learning platform. Similarly, UASTW is exploiting the Campus Information System (CIS) based on the open-source e-learning platform Moodle. Although the methods used to promote and practise e-learning differ at the two universities, their common aim is to support students' and professionals' learning when face-to-face contact time between students and tutors is significantly reduced. The use of collaborative and peer-assessed tools like e-portfolios, newsletters, discussion forums, Wikis and group puzzles are used as means of satisfying a delivery model which reflects socially constructivist principles of learning.

Cooperación on line en entornos virtuales en la enseñanza de la química

ICTs and the Internet have proved to be valuable resources for Chemistry teachers because they can remove time, space and language barriers among students. Groupware tools are being used as teaching aids in some courses in several ways, such as a support for cooperative production of hypermedia (on a specific Chemistry topic) or as a repository information platforms with forum, knowledge building, and chat or negotiation capabilities included. Users of these telematic platforms get information about any event occurred inside them thanks to different user-to-user and environment-to-user communication strategies that allow sharing of information, and this promotes online cooperation among students.In this article we present some experiences, in the field of Chemistry education, using Synergeia, a free cooperative environment, used sometimes in conjunction with Moodle, an open source e-learning platform.

Development of an E-Learning Web Portal: The Foss Approach.

With the vast development of various technologies, learning today is no longer confined to classrooms with lecture delivery as the only method of conveying knowledge, rather, an electronic means of learning has continued to evolve. Electronic learning (e-Learning), which facilitates education using communications networks, has made learning possible from anywhere at anytime using the Internet, wide area networks or local area networks. Notably, e-Learning applications which have now become central to the learning process may be developed using proprietary programming tools and the process of acquiring and using them to develop large software application is not only complex but require a huge sum of money. A viable alternative is to utilize the open source software platform that allows software engineers and institutions the right to reuse, study, distribute and localize to satisfy user’s requirements. This paper provides an overview of e-Learning and the open source domain as well as discusses how open source can be used to speedily realizes the development of an eLearning application in a web environment using an adaptive process. Specifically, the authors described their preliminary experiment of implementing an open source eLearning platform by adapting free PHP source code and MySQL database to suit an electronic class bulletin board.