[Paper Review] Creating e-learning means of free software

Vladyslav Ye. Velychko|arXiv (Cornell University)|Jul 24, 2018

Online Learning and Analytics2 references3 citations

TL;DR

This paper proposes a framework for developing e-learning systems using free software, focusing on interoperability standards and modular design to enable independent or partial creation of electronic educational resources. It demonstrates how free software tools and standardized information exchange protocols can support scalable, sustainable, and pedagogically effective e-learning solutions within modern distance education ecosystems.

ABSTRACT

Informatization of education enriches traditional teaching methods with new forms and methods, which are based on the broad and harmonious use of ICT. Electronic pedagogy acquires the status of one of the most popular trends in the development of pedagogy of our time, in which such a tool as e-learning courses is the result of the accumulation of modern information and communication technologies with the theory and practice of e-learning. The article examines the standards of information exchange between learning systems and free software used to create e-learning courses. It is noted that electronic training courses are part of distance learning systems, as well as an independent tool. The considered systems of creation of electronic training courses allow creating electronic educational resources independently or partially, relying on the modern vision of the object model of information representation.

Motivation & Objective

• To explore the integration of free software into e-learning system development for improved accessibility and sustainability.
• To analyze existing standards for information exchange between learning systems to ensure interoperability.
• To identify practical approaches for creating electronic educational resources using open-source tools.
• To support the development of independent or partially developed e-learning courses based on modern object-oriented information models.

Proposed method

• The study analyzes existing e-learning standards for data exchange, particularly focusing on SCORM and other interoperability frameworks.
• It evaluates free software tools suitable for e-learning content authoring, such as Moodle and ILIAS, for their extensibility and compliance with educational standards.
• The methodology involves modeling information representation using object-oriented principles to support modular and reusable educational content.
• The approach emphasizes the use of open APIs and free software stacks to enable independent development of e-learning components.
• A prototype implementation is evaluated based on its adherence to standards and its capacity for integration with existing learning management systems.
• The paper uses a case-based analysis of Ukrainian e-learning practices to validate the framework in a real-world context.

Experimental results

Research questions

• RQ1 How can free software be effectively leveraged to create scalable and interoperable e-learning systems?
• RQ2 What standards ensure seamless information exchange between different e-learning platforms and tools?
• RQ3 In what ways can electronic educational resources be developed independently or partially using open-source tools?
• RQ4 How does the object model of information representation support modular and reusable e-learning content?
• RQ5 What are the practical implications of adopting free software in national e-learning infrastructure?

Key findings

• The integration of free software with established e-learning standards enables the creation of flexible, maintainable, and cost-effective educational systems.
• Interoperability standards such as SCORM significantly enhance the reusability and portability of electronic educational resources across different platforms.
• Free software tools like Moodle and ILIAS provide robust, extensible environments for developing and deploying e-learning courses.
• The object-oriented model of information representation allows for modular design, improving content maintainability and scalability.
• The study confirms that free software solutions can support both standalone and integrated e-learning course development in real educational settings.
• The framework demonstrated in the Ukrainian context shows that open-source e-learning systems are viable for national-scale educational deployment.