A Robust and Scalable RESTful Web Service for Collecting Student Responses: Student Response System (SRS)

1. Background

The focus of this research lies in the development of a fast, robust and easy-to-use web service. During an early development stage of this system, it became clear that the user interface must be intuitive to be non-distracting during lectures. Further, the intended massive use of mobile devices requires a robust concept. Thus, hiding complex concepts and generally simplifying the use of this service, as described by Weiser (1993) are seen to be necessary.

Data sharing and integration in mobile and ubiquitous environments is vital. Ancona, Dodero, Gianuzzi, Locati, and Romagnoli (2001) proposed an architectural model, called Integrated Environment for Scientific Data Entry and Management (IESDEM), that made use of an intermediate data representation layer, where data sharing was made easier with the use of XML. Bellavista, Corradi, Montanari, and Stefanelli (2006) proposed a flexible architecture for the development and implementation of location and context-aware services for heterogeneous data access. The proposed middleware, called “Services with Context awareness and Location awareness for Data Environments” (SCaLaDE), was designed to support Internet data applications for mobile computing.

Chen, Yang, and Zhang (2006) presented their context-aware web services, which were designed to enhance web-based e-business, as their first step toward tackling the challenges posed by ubiquitous web services. Unlike e-business solutions, the SRS does not need to provide support for complex session management. In this case, a lightweight solution such as the “Representational State Transfer” (REST) by Fielding (2000) appears to be more appropriate.