11-09-2013, 03:40 PM
Mobile Learning (mLearning) Based on Cloud Computing: mLearning as a Service (mLaaS)
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Abstract
Despite its hype, cloud computing, with its dynamic
scalability and virtualized resources usage, is being widely
deployed for several applications in many organizations. It is
envisioned that, in the near future, cloud computing will have a
significant impact in the educational and learning environment,
enabling its own users (i.e., learners, instructors, and
administrators) to perform their tasks effectively with less cost.
On the other hand, mobile handheld devices are being lately used
in the learning arena, creating mobile learning (mLearning), due
to the quality of users' experiences employing them in banking,
health, and other aspects of life. However, the existing mobile
devices suffer some weaknesses that may hinder the future
promotion of mLearning. Some of these weaknesses can be
addressed using cloud computing. In this paper, the use of cloud
computing for mLearning is discussed, creating mLearning as a
Service (mLaaS), with focus on its potential benefits and
offerings. Furthermore, user-centric service-focused system
architecture of mLaaS is proposed. The proposed architecture
has the major added features: transparency; collaboration,
extended into intra-organizational sharing of educational and
learning resources; personalized learning; and users'
motivational effects. This last feature is a user-system
interactivity, aiming to establish a new kind of relation between
the learners and mLaaS.
INTRODUCTION
These days, there are two emerging paradigms in
Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). The
first one is the ―anytime, anywhere, on-the-move‖ paradigm,
to be called the mobility paradigm, and the second one is the
cloud computing paradigm. Both paradigms are radically
transforming the way we communicate, access and utilize
information resources, and connect with peers and colleagues,
thus affecting all aspects of our lives ─ including shopping,
banking, health care, etc.
The mobility paradigm evolved from the lowering cost of
mobile devices and the availability of wireless infrastructures.
The mobile handheld devices are turning into indispensable
ubiquitous tools that would replace the desktop and laptops in
the near future [4]; the mobile phones shipments, with new
capabilities in terms of hardware and software, had exceeded
the laptop shipments since 2006 [34] and, in the fourth quarter
of 2010 (4Q10),
MOBILE LEARNING
Mobile learning can be defined as any service or facility for
knowledge transfer of events, content, tools, and applications
to the learner [3], regardless of location and time [21],
resulting in learner's alteration in behaviour [12], where
mobile handheld devices, such as mobile phones, Personal
Digital Assistants (PDAs), and smart phones, are being used,
while the learner, but not necessarily the learning material
providers, could be on the move. The behaviourist
requirement, in the aforementioned definition, indicates that
learning is not deemed without the learner's alteration in
behaviour [12], (physical or non- physical). Furthermore, the
use of mobile handheld devices, possibly on the move,
emphasizes the mobility feature of mLearning, thus excluding
laptops and limiting mLearning to those devices that can be
used while on-the-move [18], [26].
MLEARNING BASED ON CLOUD COMPUTING: MLAAS
Both cloud computing and mLearning have attracted
significant momentum and attention in both academia and
industry but as separate entities. Cloud computing and
mLearning were both in the list of the top 10 strategic
technologies and trends identified by Gartner, the US analyst
firm, consecutively since 2008 and 2010, respectively [11].
Since 2009, they both have been in the Horizon reports, with
different adoption Horizons [15], [16], [17]; the Horizon
reports, resulted from the collaboration between the New
Media Consortium (NMC) and the influential EDUCAUSE
Learning Initiative (ELI), aim to provide an educational-
orientated perspective on expected key emerging technologies
for higher education as well as K-12 education, where the K-
12 editions are published as separate reports.
Synergy of Cloud Computing and Mobile Computing
Bringing together thin clients and cloud computing in the
front end and the back end, respectively, is a natural synergy,
liberating users to choose the most suitable access machines.
This was envisioned by IT futurists such as Nicholas Carr who
predicted the partnership of Google and Apple in the future,
foreseeing a lightweight ubiquitous mobile device crafted by
Apple to tap into Google’s cloud [33] and in the design
criteria of the ―Intelligent IT Infrastructure‖ [7], a form of
cloud computing, underdevelopment by Hewlett-Packard (HP).
The joint Google-IBM cloud prototype, a dedicated data
center for students at universities and colleges to gain the
skills needed to program cloud applications, used a cell phone
to download data from the cloud in its demonstration on
February 2008 [6], to show its power. In the fall of 2011,
Apple launched the iCloud service, a comparatively limited
service, focusing on downloading content to devices to allow
songs, photos, and documents saved on an Apple device to
appear almost instantly on any other Apple product owned by
that particular person (i.e., mobile or otherwise)
SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE OF MLAAS
A proof-of-concept prototype of mLaaS was implemented
based on iPhones and Google’s App Engine for an
undergraduate computer course at the City University of New
York, demonstrating high usability of learners [5]. A Hadoop-
based model for mLaaS was developed in [13], where its
functional modules and workflow were analyzed. A basic
framework and simulation application based on 3G for mLaaS
was proposed in [20].
The previous work on mLaaS, though very limited, reflects
the applicability of mLaaS, at least from an implementation
point of view. However, the learning-focused services that can
be provided by mLearning are hardly emphasized. Therefore,
learner-centric service-focused system architecture of mLaaS
needs to be developed. For this, the design criteria of mLaaS
are first specified.
CONCLUSIONS
The use of cloud computing, with its dynamic scalability
and virtualized resources usage, can empower mLearning by
eliminating some of weaknesses of the mobile handheld
devices, creating mLearning as a Service (mLaaS), focusing
on the following four features: transparency; collaboration,
extended into intra-organizational sharing of educational and
learning resources; personnel learning; and motivational
effects. Furthermore, the system architecture for mLaaS
reflects its diversity and flexibility, where new features and
services can be added to enhance learning and education
environment.