Present Status And Scope Of Elearning

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

Abstract

e-learning is evolving as one of the most effective method for imparting education especially in Open and distance learning Mode. This paper demonstrates how available resources and infrastructures in higher education institutes can be utilized and integrated successfully with freely available open source tools to create rich, dynamic and engaging learning environments for students to develop and in an e-learning environment. This integrated learning environment The integrated e-learning opportunities would be able to satisfy the students’ need for convenient offerings and at the same time maximize the use of online teaching technologies, facilities and resources.

Keeping in view the importance of e-learning mode in higher education the authors have identified the need of learners, explored the available resources, infrastructures, open sources tools and have provided solutions how these elements can be integrated together to exploit the advantages of technologies at the least cost.

In brief this paper examines the e-learning strategies can be adopted in institutes of higher education, from the perspective of three common objectives: widening access to educational opportunity; enhancing the quality of learning; and reducing the cost of higher education.

It focuses on issues related to new approaches in teaching, learning and assessment process based on learner-centered interactive environment as the students are no longer passive consumers of the educational programs and services, but active participants in the educational process. Keeping in view the importance of e-learning mode in higher education the authors have identified the need of learners, explored the available resources, infrastructures, open sources tools and have provided solutions how these elements can be integrated together to exploit the advantages of technologies at the least cost. Use of open source tools like LMS, Lecture Capture, QR codes, ARS, Blogs, Wikis, Web Conferencing, Messaging, e-portfolio etc with available resources and infrastructures in higher education institutes will enable them to develop and enrich their learning skills. In brief this paper examines the e-learning strategies can be adopted in institutes of higher education, from the perspective of three common objectives: widening access to educational opportunity; enhancing the quality of learning; and reducing the cost of higher education.

Introduction:

This paper aims to highlight the issues related to importance of e-learning in higher education in India and the course of actions needed for transition of traditional way of learning to virtual learning. This article also indicates the shift towards e-learning in academic practice in India is not only a positive development, but a necessary one in order to catch the global trend, already in full swing. In this digital age more flexible method of teaching learning process are needed to be adopted. After having successful application and use in the developed countries, e-learning is evolving as one of the most effective method for imparting education especially in distance mode in countries like India. It can be very instrumental in providing solutions to many of the problems faced by higher education. To achieve this goal an interactive environment can be set up in the higher education institutes by converging the existing resources and infrastructures in the universities/institutes and freely available open source tools like LMS, Lecture Capture, Software, QR codes, ARS Blogs, Wikis, Web Conferencing, Messaging, e-portfolio etc.

This article focuses on how the use of these resources can unfold the potential of expansion of higher education. Open source tools integrated with available resources can change the role of the learner from the one of a passive consumer of content to the one of an active participant, and learning in general will shift from a teacher-centered process to a learner-centered one.

Present Status and Scope of e-Learning

Developing country like India requires extensive of education and training at higher level. Only opening of new schools, colleges and universities will not solve the problem. In spite of affirmative steps taken by the government in the form of National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning, National Mission on Education, National Knowledge Network, the gap between demand and supply in higher education is still high. To bridge the increasing gap, new information and communication technology is need to be integrated with the existing infrastructure. Application of technology will help to sort out the issues related to resource crisis. UGC guidelines suggests that the teacher-student ratio should be 1:10 at PG and UG level but present scenario in higher institution is far from the UGC directive. In some cases it is alarming with above than 1:80 ratio. Conventional and Distance Education Universities can’t cope with the rising demand in higher education either for professional development or for lifelong learning until or unless it adopts IT emerging technologies. E-learning is highly cost effective and its use will have a far-reaching positive impact on higher education in India.

Government’s Initiative for e-learning

Starting from the use of satellite in early 1970s to the present with a dedicated satellite for education (EDUSAT), the policy maker in the government has given due importance to the use of information and communication technologies as means of mass education. National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL), National Mission on Education (NME), National Knowledge Network (NKN), etc. have proved to be result oriented programme in promotion of e-learning and interactive environment. E-Learning, online student support, digital repositories, open source courseware, etc. are now the integral part of Open and Distance Learning (ODL) modules for effective dissemination of knowledge.

Institutions of higher education like IGNOU have already ventured into some e-learning programmes like eGyanKosh - a national digital repository, e-Learning platform for LIVE (Library and Information Virtual Education). The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has set up PAN- African E-Network and Sakshat- a one stop education portal. Amrita University’s A-View Classroom that connects several universities together and ensure rich interactive social environment for e-learning for students. NIIT Net varsity, YCMOU, Tamil Virtual University, Symbiosis International University, MEDRC-Smart Teach, IIT-NPTEL etc are playing important role in this direction. Realising the potentials of e-Learning in education and its unique features to provide the right information to the right people at the right time and place, more and more institutions and organisations are adopting it.

Exploring the existing Infrastructure and resources in University / Colleges

With introduction of computer, almost all institutions of higher education in India have basic IT resources available. These resources can be utilised to create e-learning based classroom environment and interactive teaching module. Important components of available infrastructure are listed here

Computer (Desktop, Laptop, iPad, Smartphone etc.)

Window/Linux operating system

Internet access with high connecting speed

Power Point, Real/ Flash Player/ Windows Media, Player/

Shockwave/ Quick Time

Projector, Smart Whiteboard

DVD, Wireless Presenter/Mouse, USB

Audio-Video System, Speakers, MIC

Web-Cams

Open Source tools

Although these resources are adequate to transform conventional classroom to interactive classrooms but to make them ‘Smart Classroom’, as the term is used for a classroom with complete e-learning environment, there is need of some specialized tools and softwares' to enhance its efficiency. There are many open source tools, applications and softwares’ freely available which can be used to develop interactive environment with the integration of available resources.

The integration of e-learning tools like LMS, Virtual Learning Environments, QR Codes, Audio Response System, Lecture Capturing Software’s, e-portfolios and shared workspaces, are opening up new opportunities to create better integrated virtual learning spaces. These modules help the students for interactive environment and management of contents. Here, some of common open source e-learning tools, its implementation and requirement in HEIs learning process are discussed

Learning Management System (LMS)

The entire mechanism of teaching-learning of an institute of higher education revolves around communication, research, learning, assessment, course works, study material, etc. Projects and feedbacks for students are also the part and parcel of student- university environment. To meet the above requirements a web based interface called Learning Management System (LMS) may be used. The LMS is an online environment which helps in teaching-learning mode of with the help of simple interactive tools. These tools are useful for all subjects and facilitate the said indicators by using the existing resources of the university. LMS is a program that simulates a real classroom environment in the Internet world. LMS offers features similar to a classroom, but offers the advantage of allowing us to participate from any computer, anywhere and at any time. LMS may be hosted on a server located somewhere in the Internet cloud. All students’ may connect to server as client after proper authentication.

Popular Open Source LMS: Moodle, Claroline, ATutor, eFront, Sakai, OLAT, OpenLMS, etc.

To implement LMS in a University resources required are; High Capacity Computer (Server), Operating System, Web-Server, Web-Browser, Programming language and Database. One of the popular open source LMS "Moodle" can be implemented on open source LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP) environment.

Lecture Capture

Lecture Capture is a wide domain encompassing vast area of technology that record audio-video contents including class lecture and make the same available digitally to the students. A student has option to record lectures, store them and play them back whenever they need. It is an effective medium and is very successful amongst those students who can’t afford regular classes either due to time constraint or economic burden. It provides opportunity for content reviewing and development. Learners can review the lessons when difficult topics are discussed. The video contents enable student to observe the demonstrated procedures minutely. Opencast Matterhorn, CourseCast are some open-source platform to support the Open Source Lecture Capture for academic institutions.

Equipments like Microphone, Camera, Web-Browser, Video players are used to capture the lecturer's voice as well as video of the lecturer.

QR (Quick Response) Code Generator

QR Code generator is a tool which helps in inquiry and learning by using the existing resources of the university. Integrating QR codes with university e-learning environment help to ensure a consistent message delivery mechanism. It allows the users to develop URL, E-Mail, SMS, and Text message. The code is used for recording and monitoring of assignments, providing RSS feed address with efficiency and accuracy, helps in printing the learning material or workbooks, assessing lecture information etc. Through RSS feeds, long URL can be coded to suitable one so that the users can decode the same without any difficulty. QR Codes is free from any licensing. NeoReader, QR Pal, ScanLife, Barcode are some free QR Code readers available.

QR Code Tools: Kaywa, GoQR.me, QRMobilize, Google URL Shortner (goo.gl), PHP QR Code, etc.

Audience Response System (ARS)

Audience Response System is a mechanism that facilitates immediate feedbacks to students and helps in effective learning. This is an interactive environment between the teacher and the students. It enables instructors to put question, receive answers from students and reviews queries from student instantaneously. Audience Response System uses wireless, presentation software, television and internet as per the audience nearness or remoteness. In University, ARS is also known as student response system. In this a presenter with the help of Computer and Video projector, shows multiple answers whereby the audience select the correct answer with their wireless keypad that is ultimately received by the base station or presenter’s computer. The presenter can show the collected data graphically.

Tools: Web-based audience response systems, Cell Phone, Smart Phone (HTTP)

Content Sharing and Collaboration Tools (Open Source Wikis)

In the university, there is a need of single window technological environment where everyone can create, share, discuss and discover documents, ideas, diagrams and projects to facilitate smooth teaching-learning module. Documentation, technical documentation, document library and knowledge management are important aspects of university academia. In the age of globalisation, there is a need of global collaboration on content and projects. Open source Wikis helps to chat, establishing a collaborative environment and enable the contents and documents searchable. Open source Tools for content sharing and collaboration are TWiki, xWiki, MediaWiki, MindTouch Core, FosWiki. All these can be applied for creating interactive environment.

At University end, following resources will be needed: Server Machine, Web-Server, Web Browser, Programming Language

Learning Materials File Repository

To widen the scope of knowledge and information of a university, there is a necessity of enriched Central On-line catalogue and repository facilities where research papers, journals, articles, thesis, dissertations, etc. can be stored and used by student and teaching community and the same can be kept for future generation. Learning Materials File Repository is one of the important online tools that increase the value of file repositories with the help of some open source tools using minimum infrastructures present in the university. The demand of these file repository for learning and teaching are increasing day by day for university strategy management. Open source tools for Learning Materials File Repository are SpiderOak, googledocs, DropBox, SugarSync, DSpace, Fedora. University is required to provide high speed Internet connection to store and retrieve learning materials on online File repository tools

Open Source Blogs

There are numerous activities which go on continuously in the universities varying from class lecture to conferences. Students get involved for different assignments and projects. To show all these learning and research activities, Blog is one of the best online tools, where students can put their matter, show their creativity and get valuable feedbacks from various sections of the society. Blog is becoming popular among the learners due to easy handling and maintaining of it. It is the easiest and quickest way of micro-publishing, news dissemination and established web based communications tool. Since, it uses RSS feeds, so users can get information without any hassle. Tools for open source blogs are Wordpress, Blogger, Drupal, Joomla, Tumblr

Free Instant Messaging Tools

Beyond the classroom, there are lots of activities that can help the student in their learning and studying modules. Communication, quick feedbacks, small conferences, text or audio conversation, video contacts are the aspects that enhances the knowledge of students. In the university’s interactive environment all these can be successfully fulfilled by using simple set up with the help of Free Instant Messaging Tools. These tools support students involves between virtual or face-to-face sessions from any location. It enhances the opportunities of collaborative environment amongst students.

For successful implementation of this tool, there is a need of two softwares’ - one is the central "server" that manages messages and "client" to connect the central server and access the tools needed to send and receive messages.

Open Source Tools: Kannel that command trillions of short messages, Client Software: Pidgin, Miranda IM, SparkIM, IntraMessenger, etc. are some of the tools that make it valuable and worthy.

Open Source Audio Editor

University conducts seminars, conferences, workshops and exhibitions where audio-recoding is one of the important parts for different lectures and speeches. The quality of audio and video is not up to the mark as desired. So, Open Source Audio Editor can play a vital role in editing, filtering, frequencies, modulation and giving quality output to the record versions. It has the capability to apply simple to advance effects, playback sound and convert different audio files.

Free Open Tools: Audacity, Power Sound Editor, Mp3DirectCut, Music Editor Free, Wavosaur, Linux MultiMedia Studio (LMS), Ardour, Sweep, Jokosher, MusE

Web-Conferencing Tools

Web-conferencing is the demand of the time. It is not possible for universities to bring experts of different fields all the time. In the age of modernisation, it has become essential to integrate colleges and universities for better facilitation of communication and knowledge. It bring expert of repute at your institution. It is good for those students who are off the campus.

For the above said purpose, Openmeeting, Bigbluebutton, Yugma, are some of the web-conferencing tools that can be used by universities for more flexibility of knowledge dispersion.

Minimum requirements are Operating System, Web-Server, Database, Computer, Headset/ Microphone, Webcam etc.

Open Source e-Portfolio

E-Portfolio is an open source tool used to records personal profiles and achievements digitally. It is an effective platform both for the students and teachers to review the group projects.

Mahara is a learner-centred personal learning environment which can be used for students learning activities, their management and contents. It’s a digital record of information and achievements that can be used as review and resource by students.

Open source tools: Mahara, Elgg, MyStuff etc.

e-Learning Authoring Tools

e-Learning authoring tools are helpful for to design online courses and support the authors to develop an enriched E-content for different courses. These tools are useful in making of images, flash animations, etc. In terms of features, these tools vary from each other. Mostly used e-learning authoring tools are Microsoft PowerPoint and LAMS.

The different e-learning authoring tools are LAMS, CAMSTUDIO, Xerte, eXe , Xical etc.

Learning Management System (LMS) integration with other Open Source Tools

LMS provides an online platform where students and teachers can come together to teach and learn. Depending upon the exact requirement of the institution, management may build its own LMS or customize any open source LMS. LMS can be seamlessly links to other learning technologies to create rich, dynamic and engaging learning environments for students. Integration of LMS with other open source tools can improve the effectiveness and efficiency of learning, teaching and assessment practices. The way these tools are combined and used differs from LMS to LMS, but all features are fundamental to basic VLE software.

To understand a practical view of LMS integration with other Open source tools I am taking the example of one of the popular open source LMS Moodle in this paper. Moodle can be integrated with a variety of other programs to meet various needs of a website. Integration is the bringing together of Moodle with other programs so they function together as a system. The modular and open source build on Moodle opens up all possibility of Integration. The M in Moodle stands for modular, and the easiest, most maintainable way to add new functionality to Moodle is by using one of the many plugin APIs.

Integration of various open source tools with Moodle is already available in form of Modules, Plugin-API etc. Here I am listing how moodle can be integrated with the tools we already mentioned in this paper.

E-Portfolio: The integration between Moodle and Mahara has been affectionately named "Mahoodle"[]. It allows true single-signon between both systems

Web-Conferencing: Moodle can be integrated with Openmeeting web conferencing with the help of Moodle Plugin for OpenMeetings[]. This will integrate moodle for Single Sign-on, recording, moderator settings etc.

Lecture capturing: Opencast Matterhorn Moodle Integration is possible through using Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI) tools, Native Moodle Widgets etc.

File Repository: Google Docs, DropBox, Alfresco etc. can be integrated into Moodle by Moodle Repository Plugins[].

Authoring tool: LAMS, the Learning Activity Management System, is an open source Learning Design system for designing, managing and delivering online collaborative learning activities. It is a standard module and also a course format in Moodle

http://www.lamsinternational.com/

Blogs/CMS: Joomdle[] is a free GPL Extension for Joomla that provides integration between Moodle and Joomla. Moodle can be integrated with Drupal using Moodle Block for Drupal 6.x.

QR Code Generator: QR codes may be appended to Moodle courses. The QR code contains the URL of the page on that particular Moodle course. Kaywa QR code generator may be use for this purpose.

Audio Response System: Moodle plugin is available for i>clicker which integrates Moodle with iClicker[] (http://www.iclicker.com/dnn/) The plugin allows students to register their clickers with the Moodle installation.

https://code.google.com/p/iclicker-moodle-integrate/

Instant Messenger/Text Messenger: Chat activity module, Moodle Skype module, MSG Instant Messenger Block are used for messaging purpose

http://docs.moodle.org/24/en/Chat_module

MSG is a web based Jabber instant messenging system built on Wildfire IM server. This block allows your Moodle server to be integrated with a Wildfire server with single sign on for both Moodle & IM and notifications within the Moodle environment when new messages are received from contacts. 

https://moodle.org/plugins/pluginversion.php?id=852

http://opencast.3480289.n2.nabble.com/Matterhorn-users-Matterhorn-with-moodle-td7375520.html

http://docs.moodle.org/22/en/Google_Docs_repository

Fig 1. Typical university systems architecture

Conclusion

In India, demand and supply scenario of education is unfavourable considering the huge population base of the country. To fulfil this gap, e-learning based classroom environment can be used in Universities, Colleges and leading Institutions. More or less all the universities have some sort of resources that can facilitate e-learning environment with the help of open source tools like LMS, Virtual Learning Environments, QR Codes, Audio Response System, Lecture Capturing Software’s, e-portfolios and shared workspaces. ‘E-learning’ being a ‘teacher-less’ delivery mode, may be a judicious alternative option for higher education because of its cost effectiveness, geography independent and learner centric. It garners qualitative education atmosphere both for teachers and students. The teacher enjoys giving lecture both domestically and internationally at the same time with advanced technological equipments. It gives satisfaction to the teacher and on the other hand, due to larger reach, enormous students get benefited of qualitative materials from renowned professors and lectures.