4. METHODOLOGY
Lately, developers have developed various learning
management systems, such as learning management systems
that cater for the needs of inexperienced users [16] however,
those developed learning management systems have a lot of
problems. For example, it is difficult to manage single
distributed management on the internet and cover the needs
of all users at the same time. [17] For this reason, we have to
develop a learning management system with our own
programs. But, we cannot meet the demand of users due to
the lack of distributed learning material. The most important
issue is the high cost of development as stated earlier. Adding
or expanding the system also requires more investment. Most
of the cost problems come from the needs of service and
maintenance. So, to solve this problem, we present a new
model for learning management systems by applying Cloud
computing with Web services.
Figure 4 shows a model using distributed e-Learning using
Cloud computing with Web services. The user sends a request
to the provider of Cloud Services. Then, the cloud provider
will manage the resources and services that the user wants
and connects to the e-Learning cloud. In addition, to serve
the user who sent a request to cloud, the cloud provider must
connect to other web services which link data resources on
the internet. This model of learning management is effective
and reduces the cost of development and provides the ability
to collect distributed learning material via the internet. The
processes and steps of a working e-Learning Cloud are
depicted as below.
The process begins with learners or users sending a request
to the web portal. Then, the request travels through the
system’s management which is responsible for the decision
of appropriate resources. For learners who use this service,
the information referring to the request will be forwarded to
them and deliver the required resources. The last part is the
evaluation. All Sub-modules of e-Learning services work
independently of other web services. The modules of web
services are responsible for opening web services registry. So
that, the distributed learners on the internet can collect data
and learning materials from web service registry, including,
learning profile and learning information that’s connected
from each other. As a result, a model can work as the
distributed learning management system and run on the Cloud
computing system successfully. Moreover, the cost of
investment and maintenance is a lot lower.
The proposed models is based on the IEEE1484.11
Learning Technology [13] which is related to the compositions
referring to the instructor, learner and the content’s delivery.
In addition, the application of web services presents a model
of distributed learning management systems using web
services [5]. Also, the performance is test by a sample group
in order to develop a better prototype in the future. The results
were found to be at a very good level with high user
satisfaction. [6] The proposed model of a distributed learning
management system still has one or two problems such as
speeds depending on the user’s available internet connection
and content available in the desired language (Thai).