A Soa Based E-Learning System for Teaching Fundamental Informations of Computer Science Courses

Integrated Intelligent Research (IIR) International Journal of Web Technology
Volume: 02 Issue: 01 June 2013 Page No.1-5
ISSN: 2278-2389
1
A Soa Based E-Learning System for Teaching
Fundamental Information's of Computer Science
Courses
S. Sagayaraj1
, N.S. Rajalakshmi2
, M. Poovizhi3
1& 3
Department of Computer Science, Sacred Heart College, Tirupattur.
2
Department of Computer Science, D.K.M. College, Vellore
Email: sagi sara@yahoo.com, raji.laks88@gmail.com, poomca12@gmail.com
Abstract- The Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) is used by
system development method, and it allows system integration to
become more flexible. Teaching resources of e-learning are
reusable, which is why this research employs the concept of SOA
and characteristics of web services to implement an e-learning
prototype system that can go across platforms. This research has
developed the software components of SOA and web service in
.NET development platform. The .NET application is integrated
in JAVA application even it can be integrated into the same
system, and truly achieve the integration of heterogeneous E-
Learning System. This system will be simple, has open
standards, has a wide range of integration, is highly efficient, and
provides highly flexible integrated services.
Keywords: E-learning, Web Services, SOA, XML, .NET, JAVA
I. INTRODUCTION
A service is a function that is well-defined, self-contained, and
does not depend on the context or state of other services. Over
time the industry standardized on the capabilities of various
services. A SOA is basically a collection of services. These
services have interconnection with each other some mechanism
of connecting services to each other is needed. Those
connections are Web Services. SOA is progressively popular for
building learning systems to understand the importance of
exploiting SOA in Learning systems. Integration,
interoperability, scalability, and reusability are the main for that
SOA based e-learning researchers attempt to address, solve, and
improve e-learning systems.A SOA is a set of design principles
used during the phases of system development and integration. A
deployed SOA based architecture provides a loosely-integrated
group of services that can be used within multiple business
domains. SOA defines how to integrate widely dissimilar
applications for a world that is Web based and uses multiple
implementation platforms. Service-orientation requires loosely
coupling of services with operating systems and other
technologies that underlie application.Web services are the
mechanism for connecting services programmatically and are
based on standards. Web services technology is based on the
Extensible Markup Language (XML) specifications Web Service
Description Language (WSDL), Simple Object Access Protocol
(SOAP) and Universal Description, Discovery and Integration
(UDDI) and can be enhanced by more than a few additional
XML specifications. Web services derived with the technical
descriptions that are published by their providers, and that can be
found and used by potential users to invoke the services.
Subscribers can compose Web services in order to build
complete applications with exact and customized functionality.
SOA defines three roles in services such as service broker,
service provider and service requester [1]:
 Service broker: Plays the role of a medium for web
services. It can accept registration requests from
services providers, and can also process query requests
from services requester.
 Service provider: Mainly refers to the developer of web
service applications; it is also required to describe
details of its web services.
 Service requester: Sends requests for services; follow-
up operations include sending query and linking to the
suitable web services.
The descriptions of SOA clearly shows that, SOA has the
advantage of being flexible, reusable, expandable and inter-
operable, and that it can obtain different services via web service
protocols to achieve a combined service system architecture. E-
learning is the utilization of network technology to attain the
function of passing on knowledge at anytime and anywhere.
Type of learning that uses teaching material not in the
conventional paper form and requires the use of electronic
equipment can be widely referred to as e-learning [2].Teaching
resources of e-learning are reusable, which is why this research
employs the concept of SOA and characteristics of web services
to implement an e-learning prototype system that can go across
platforms, that is simple, has open standards, has a wide range of
integration, is highly efficient, and provides highly flexible
integrated services. This research does not seek to merely
standardize and share teaching resources, but rather to be able to
share software components that the service provider provides.
Web services view the entire Internet as one large platform, it
uses web protocols and data formats with open standards, such as
Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), XML and SOAP, to allow
systems developed from different programming languages to be
used on heterogeneous platforms, and can also easily integrate
them. The cross-platform information exchange and high
expandability characteristics of XML are also able to avoid
difficulties in exchanging teaching resources between
heterogeneous databases, which result from different database

ISSN: 2278-2389
2
formats and architectures. The paper begins with related work on
SOA based E-Learning system in section 2, followed by the
detailed presentation of the E-Leaning system in Section 3. Then,
E-Leaning system components are presented in Section 4,
followed by a detailed implementation of the prototype tool in
section 5. The conclusion and the future research avenues are
discussed in Section 6.
II. RELATED WORK
In 2003 Zhengfang Xu, Zheng Yin, and Abdulmotaleb El Saddik,
proposed a Web services oriented framework that facilitates
dynamic e-Learning systems by providing a comprehensive
platform in which all the sharable learning components are
published, described, located and invoked in a standardized way
[3]. In 2005 Angad Grewal, Shri Rai, Rob Phillips and Chun Che
Fung, designed a web service based e learning lifecycle and its
services. This Lifecycle defines all the functionality needed for
the interactions between the service provider and the service
requester, from the creation of a digital asset to the delivery of
learning resources to the learner [4]. In 2005 Kai Wang,
Jianming Ke and Abdulmotaleb El Saddik, proposed Web
services-based framework that provide intelligence and
adaptiveness to each individual learner for e-learning portal
systems[5]. In 2006 Athanasios D. Styliadis, loannis D.
Karamitsos, Dimitrios I. Zachariou , proposed a personalized e-
learning system which is based on GIS case for distance learning
[6]. In 2006 MihaelaDinsoreanu, loan Salomie, analyzed the
distance learning domain and investigated the possibility to
implement some e-learning services using mobile agent
technologies. They presented a model of the Student Assessment
Service (SAS) and an agent based framework developed to be
used for implementing specific applications [7]. In 2007
Giovanni Casella, Gennaro Costagliola, Filomena Ferrucci,
Giuseppe Polese,Giuseppe Scanniello, proposed web service
based thin client architecture for e- learning system that uses Run
Time Environment (RTE) in SCORM to trace learning process
with a suitable middleware component [8]. In 2007 Moon Ting
Su, Chee Shyang Wong, Chuak Fen Soo, Choon Tsun Ooi, Shun
Ling Sow,developed an E-Learning system that uses web service
technologies. The objective of this study was to provide
interoperability between components written and running on
different hardware[9]. In 2007 Panagiotis Germanakos, Nikos
Tsianosl, Zacharias Lekkas, Constantinos Mourlas, Marios Belk,
George Samaras, presents a semantic-based adaptation and
personalization system, uses cognitive aspects as its core filtering
element. Here the focus was mainly on the creation of a
comprehensive user profiling that combines. Parameters that
analyze the most intrinsic users' characteristics Based on the user
profile the content is adapted[10].In 2007 K.K.Thyagharajan and
Ratnamanjari, addresses the problems of automatically selecting
and integrating appropriate learning materials for a learner using
web services based on the learners initial knowledge, goals,
preferences etc[11]. In 2007 Vincenza Carchiolo , Alessandro
Longheu, Michele Malgeri, Giuseppe Mangioni, proposed an
architecture organized into four layers: a database layer to store,
share and reuse courses and teaching materials, an adaptation
layer which allow personalized courses generation, a presentation
layer that arrange personalized courses into learning paths, and
an interface layer to develop several learning interfaces[12]. In
2008 Sandra Aguirre, Juan Quemada, Joaquin Salvachua,
proposed a federated service-oriented architecture for e-learning
based on web service13]. In 2008 Zhifen Cheng, Guilin,
P.R.China, Jia Nong proposed a methodological framework for
the development of e-Learning systems based on SOA and
Model Driven Architecture (MDA) [14].
III. E-LEARNING SYSTEM
Software components of SOA and web services are characterized
by being reusable and interchangeable, and are therefore able to
reduce waste of educational resources, as well as lower system
development cost. This research has developed the software
components of SOA and web service in .NET development
platform and XML technologies. This is in order to construct a
teaching platform with standard specification, allowing system
developers to rapidly construct an e-learning system based on
SOA and web services. The .NET application is integrated into
JAVA application. It can also be integrated into the same system,
and truly achieve the integration of heterogeneous e-learning
System. This system is useful for both Staff and Students.
Students find difficult to get proper study guidance from staff. To
address this problem, this SOA based e-learning system helps
staff to upload study material, to conduct test, to announce
assignment and to have discussion forum for students.The main
objective of this research is to develop a SOA Based e-learning
system to be used by Computer Science Courses to support
teaching and learning functions. This research uses web service
technology to construct a standard specification teaching
platform; system functions are no longer independent, but
integrated into a single environment. Its purpose is to allow
software components to be reused by other distributed
architectures, and not limited to certain operating platforms or
programming languages, allowing even more extensive
applications of the system developed by this research. This e-
learning system consists of activities of Computer Science (CS)
department. It has announcement details which contain
association activities like sports day, teacher’s day, seminars,
conferences. The CS department conducts meetings for students
to develop their skills and career growth. The projects are carried
out for students to excel their intellectual growth. The syllabus is
framed for better knowledge of the students’. The syllabus is
used by both staff and students. Time table makes the department
to be active and to do activities on time. Staff profile gives clear
picture about each one in the department. The research interests
of each staff are indicated.The course materials are uploaded by
the staff in order to be used by students. The students gain
knowledge from this course material. Teaching videos are
uploaded in the e-learning system. The students can download it
to understand the concepts easily. The student discussion forum
makes the students to share their ideas, views and post their
questions to get more information. Online test is conducted in
computer basics and programming language. The students
become aware of all the basics of computer. The programming
language test makes them to understand logic behind each

ISSN: 2278-2389
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concept and uplifts the weak student. The staff announces the
assignment work in e-learning system. The assignments can be
submitted through e-learning system. It helps the students to
present their assignments neatly. The staff conducts two
Continuous Assessment (CA) Tests for each subject for
maximum of 100 marks. This e-learning system helps the staff to
compute CA, assignment and seminar marks of each student. The
six components developed using .NET development platform
such as Computer Science Department, Course Materials,
Teaching Videos, Forum, and Online Test. The CA Marks
software component coded using JAVA and it integrated using
.NET in the same system.
1. To create the services using SOA for all these six
components in .NET.
2. Run the web service and copy the URL of the individual
services.
3. These service should be added to the add web reference
in the application.
4. The copied URL can be pasted in the web service URL
and clicks add reference to add all the available
services.
5. The Web services and Discovery Documents available
on the VS.NET developer machine are listed in the
system.
6. Click the service link to browse that service.
When users select a system function, the system component
starts to operate. The system component searches for the suitable
web service from service providers, service providers return the
location of the web service in a WSDL file to the system
component, and after the system component reads the
information in the WSDL file, it then calls the web service to use
and displays processing results on the user interface; the
document is stored as a XML file in the system.
The SOA Based e-learning system functions are shown in Figure
1.
Figure 1 - The e-learning system functions
IV. E-LEARNING COMPONENTS
The system functions of e-learning represents the six
components.
4.1 CS Department
The various activities performed in the Computer Science
department are explained in the following section.
4.1.1 Announcement Information
This section explains about the details regarding association
activities, general instruction, project details of the student.
 Association function allows staffs to announce
Association information of CS department. The
association places on record the selfless service of the
members of the association who made this academic
year, very successful and fruitful. The student can view
the activities which are conducted by the department.
 General Instruction function used to announce the
General instruction about CS department. The
department can arrange the meeting for student to
develop their skills and career growth.
 Project Details function allows the student to do their
project. The project is carried out for the students to
excel their intellectual growth. Using this system
student can view their results.
4.1.2 Post Announcement
This section explains about the details regarding syllabus, time
table, staff profile and staff research area of interest.
 Syllabus function allows staffs or students to download
the syllabus from the system. Using the syllabus the
staffs can prepare their notes and questions for students.
It is very useful for student to learn the subject and also
very useful to make the notes.
 Time Table function allows staffs to get timetable from
the system. It’s very useful for staffs to prepare and
exactly prompt to class.
 Staff Profile function allows staffs to upload there
profile to the system. . It is very useful to know the
details of all staffs in CS department. The staff can
modify and updated their profile.
 Staff Research Area function allows staffs research
areas and those area’s descriptions. The scholar’s can
view in which area of research the staffs currently
involved.
4.2 Course Material
This section explains the course material which can be used by
staff and students.
 Upload Material function allows staffs to upload course
materials to the system. Each staff can upload their
subject material through Power Point, PDF files and
Word files.
 Download Material function allows staffs or students to
download course material from the system to be used
for teaching or learning. The student can use the

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uploaded materials for learning purpose and they can
also use this material for reference.
4.3 Teaching Videos
The section explains about regarding teaching videos to students.
This video is provided by staff.
 Upload Video function allows staffs to upload teaching
videos to the system for students to download or play
online.
 Download Video function allows staffs and students to
download teaching videos from the system and use them
for teaching or learning. The student can use the
uploaded video for learning purpose and they can also
use this video for reference.
 Play Video function allows students with enough
bandwidth to directly play teaching videos online, and is
not required to download the video first.
4.4 Forum
This section explains the interaction of students and staff to share
their ideas and views and post their questions.
 Course Discussion function provides an area for staffs
and students to discuss course contents and exchange
information. The staffs and student can share their
information by posting the questions and in return they
get different ideas. The user submitted message can
contain the user's details and the date and time it was
submitted.
4.5 Online Test
This section explains about test being conducted to students to
assess their intellectual capacity.
 Computers Basics function provides an online test of the
Computers Basics to understand how well students
understand course content. The questions are taken from
the fundamentals of computer and the students are asked
to select the best possible answer out of the choices
from a list.
 Programming Basics function provides an online test of
the Programming Basics to understand how well
students understand course contents. The questions are
from the programming domain and the students are
asked to select the best possible answer out of the
choices from a list.
4.6 Assignment and Report
This section explains about the awareness of assignments and the
students submit their assignment in this system.
 Assignment Announcement function allows staffs to
announce information and notices related to
assignments. The staff announces the topic for
assignment.
 Upload Assignment function allows students to upload
their assignments to the system. Students select their
topic from list of topics displayed.
 Download Assignment function allows staffs to
download the assignments that students uploaded.
Based on the presentation and content the staffs can
give the grade.
4.7 CA Marks
This section explains about the student CA Marks and their mode
of computing them by staff.
 CA function helps staffs to conduct two CA test for each
subject, the two CA test is conducted for a maximum of
100 marks and computed for 10 marks. There is no
passing minimum for CA.
 Assignments function allows the students to submit their
five assignments and computed for 10 marks.
 Seminar function allows the student to present seminar
on given topic and computed for 5 marks.
 Total function allows staffs to compute the CA,
Assignment, Seminar marks of the individual students.
All the important activities regarding computer science
department are planned and executed using SOA based e-
learning system. The staff and students benefit more from this
system.
V. IMPLEMENTATION
Process of SOA based e-learning system for CS courses is
implemented in this research, so as to make use of the e-learning
system to improve teaching and learning functions.
5.1 Development of E-Learning System
The system is implemented .NET and JAVA development
platforms and runs on IIS (Internet Information Services) 7
servers. Teaching contents of the system are mainly, the
department of CS courses such as introduction to programming
languages and introduction to Database Management System
(DBMS), Software Engineering, Operating System (OS), and
Networking. The six components developed using .NET
development platform such as CS Department, Course
Materials,The system component searches for the suitable web
service from service providers, service providers return the
location of the web service in a WSDL file to the system
component, and after the system component reads the
information in the WSDL file, it then calls the web service to use
and displays processing results on the user interface; the
document is stored as a XML file in the system.
The Figure 2 provides the time table of the CS department. The
CS Department menu allows selection of time table sub menu.
The time table for each staff is displayed in grid view. He can
look at it and prepare class in advance. It helps the staff to
maintain the time of each class effectively. It is very useful for
staff members

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5
Figure 2 - Time Table
.The staff can select their names in dropdown list.
 Click the get button.
 The time table will be displayed in the grid view.
Teaching Videos menu allows for a selecting Play Video sub
menu. The play menu helps the students to play the videos
directly and they need not download it. It uses effective band
width to play the videos easily.
 Click the video file to play video.
 Select play video submenu
 Watch the video directly.
The Forum menu allows selection of course discussion sub
menu. The students share their ideas and views in this forum.
They post questions and get proper guidance. They also help
each other to study well. Each idea shared by all will give
different views for same problem.
 Click article 1 for sharing information
 Click new message or text message to add a message to
article 1
 The form will open in that choose message type
 Enter title, reply, name, email for sending message
 Click add reply button.
The Online Test menu allows for a selection of Computer Basics
sub menu. The test is conducted logically so that the students
become aware of computer fundamentals. The test contains
multiple choices of questions. When all the questions are
submitted, the result will be displayed immediately.
VI. CONCLUSION
This Research uses software components of SOA and web
service developed with the .NET and XML technologies to create
the teaching platform with standard condition and it allows the
developers quickly to build an E-Learning system based on SOA
and web service. This research work has developed the software
components of SOA and web service in .NET development
platform. The developed application is integrated in JAVA
application even it can be integrated into the same system, and
truly achieving the integration of heterogeneous E-Learning
System.In the future, the system can be integrated with wireless
LAN technology so that users will be able to access the e-
learning system at anytime and anywhere using their PDA or
smart phone. Furthermore, besides the .NET development
platform, JAVA development platform, software components
developed using AXIS development platform can even be
integrated into the same system, and truly achieve the integration
of heterogeneous e-learning systems this is proposed for the
future work.
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[1] Y. L. Chi, Introduction to Web Service Technology, Chiun-Hua Publishing
Company, Taipei,2004.
[2] Z. T. Yang and N. H. Chen, Theory and Practice of e-Learning., DrMaster
Publishing Company,Taipei, Taiwan, 2006.
[3] Zhengfang Xu,Zheng Yin, and Abdulmotaleb El Saddik "A Web Services
Oriented Framework for Dynamic E-Learning Systems" IEEE 2003.
[4] Angad Grewal, Shri Rai, Rob Phillips and Chun Che Fung "The E-Learning
Lifecycle and its Services: The Web Services Approach" Proceedings of the
Second International Conference on eLearning for Knowledge-Based
Society, August 4-7, 2005.
[5] Kai Wang, Jianming Ke and Abdulmotaleb El Saddik, "Architecture for
Personalized Collaborative E-learning Environment," Proceedings of
World Conference on EducationalMultimedia, Hypermedia and
Telecommunications, pp.4801-4805,2005.
[6] Athanasios D. Styliadis, loannis D. Karamitsos, Dimitrios I. Zachariou
"Personalized e-Learning Implementation - The GIS Case" International
Journal of Computers,
[7] Communications & Control Vol. 1, pp. 59-67,2006.
[8] MihaelaDinsoreanu, loan Salomie, "Mobile Agent Based Solutions for
Knowledge Assessment in E-learning Environments," 2006.
[9] Giovanni Casella, Gennaro Costagliola, Filomena Ferrucci, Giuseppe Polese,
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[10]Scanniello "A SCORM Thin Client Architecture for E-Learning Systems
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[11]Moon Ting Su, Chee Shyang Wong, Chuak Fen Soo, Choon Tsun Ooi, Shun
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[16]Zhifen Cheng, Guilin, P.R.China, Jia Nong "An Extensible Development
Platform for SOA-Based E-Learning System," International Conference on
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