Toward Development of Distance Learning Environment in the Grid

Abstract

In recent years, with the rapid development of communication and network technologies, distance learning has been popularized and it became one of the most well-known teaching methods, due to its practicability. Over the Internet, learners are free to access new knowledge without restrictions on time or location. However, current distance learning systems still present restrictions, such as support to interconnection of learning systems available in scalable, open, dynamic, and heterogeneous environments. In this chapter, we introduce a distance learning platform based on grid technology to support learning in distributed environments, where open source and freely available learning systems can share and exchange their learning and training contents. We have envisioned such distance learning platform in heterogeneous environment using grid technology. A prototype is designed and implemented, to demonstrate its effectiveness and friendly interaction between learner and learner resources used.