Cloud Computing Based E-Learning System

Abstract

Cloud computing technologies although in their early stages, have managed to change the way applications are going to be developed and accessed. These technologies are aimed at running applications as services over the internet on a flexible infrastructure. Microsoft office applications, such as word processing, excel spreadsheet, access database and many more can be accessed through the internet, even though the files and applications are housed in the cloud. Cloud computing provides a low cost solution to academic institutions for their researchers, faculty and students. This setup provides an additional benefit because all these browser-based applications can also be accessed through mobile devices in addition to being available to a variety of laptop and desk top computers, provided internet access is available. In this paper we present a solution that is based on cloud computing and can be used for building a virtual environment both for teaching and learning. We present an interactive tool that can be used for science education; we combined various technologies to achieve this goal. The environment and the design proposed can also be used as a platform for exploring and sharing new ideas as well as for designing, modifying and monitoring educational or course contents. In our design under the same environment we also allow integration of different pedagogical approaches to both learning and teaching.