Browsing by Author "Pratheesh, N."

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    Classification of virtual learning environment
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2015) Pratheesh, N.
    Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) are more popular in e-learning atmosphere. VLEs are influential learning systems in higher education institutions. It also referred as learning management systems (LMS) and course management systems (CMS). Main function of the VLE is to streamline the course management aimed for various learner groups. VLEs are electronic platforms which can be used to afford and footpath to e-learning and enrich face-to-face education with online components. The functions of the VLEs are computerized the learning administration by helping and recording the learner’s bustle. Formal education and corporate training have different needs and these needs have to be satisfied using VLEs. Teachers are responsible to develop the learning contents in VLE. It provides flexible delivering materials, learning activities and support the tools to create and monitoring. Blackboard and Moodle are commonly employed system in current VLE. Sri Lankan higher education system emphasizes on learner-centric learning. In this concept learner plays a vital role in the learning process and learners are projected to actively involve in the learning process. They have more accountability for their learning process and teachers are accountable for learners’ learning and they frolic the protagonist of “facilitator” who directs the learning process instead of information provider. Learner-centric learning will bestow the learners a deeper and better off learning experience, as there is better participation and involvement in the learning process (Brown S., 2008). The learner-centric learning atmosphere uses the web 2.0 technologies such as blogs, wikis, and social software which helps to publishing the content over the internet (Alexander, B., 2006, Yang, S., 2009). This technology can improve the interactive communication and collaboration among teacher and learners who either possess associated learning resources, or help to discover and obtain it, or are willing to exchange and share with others in the online learning environment. Web 2.0 allows the learner to read and write in the web using create, publish, exchange, share and cooperate on information. This makes the learners become the consumers and producers of learning resources and satisfies the learner-centric learning concepts. Thus, web 2.0 offers a learning atmosphere and have the capability to fundamentally change the nature of learning and teaching, through the invention of learner controlled learning. Methodology VLEs are motivated as the platform for learner-centric learning in the present learning environment, because it helps the learners to control and manage their own learning activities. This comprises the support for learners to fixed their learning objectives, manage their material and communicate with others via learning groups and provides a suitable environment to practice social skills in the learning and accomplish their learning goals. To succeed learner-centric learning, institution have to employ the suitable VLEs according to their learning needs. VLEs are classified according to the architecture of the system. The first classified approach is web-based with loosely joined or tightly joined web services. ELGG and PLEX systems are located udder this category. Second classified approach is based on the platform that supports a rich facility for extension points. Moodle and Blackboard are located in this family. Final classification, highlighted the Social Software concept based system. Result and Discussion The classification of the VLE’s helps the educational institute to properly identify the system within the budget, existing resources, target groups and the needs. This classification helps to maximize utilization of the employed VLE. It motivates the learner-centric learning atmosphere especially in Sri Lankan higher education scenario.
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    Cloud computing in business scenario
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2015) Pretheeba, P.; Pratheesh, N.
    Cloud Computing has been recognized as a promising model to exploit the power of computer network and communications into business in cost effective way. It provides elastic capacity to all the sectors such as businesses, government and education with flexible price. Present multifarious business environment require organizations to respond quickly to the changes of the market to take advantage of opportunities. It can be achieved through contemporary information and communication technologies. Nowadays cloud computing considered as a resource that is readily available to organizations to attain their business goals promptly. Cloud computing offers a platform to use the collective computing resources. It assembles large number of computing servers and other resources and provides their combined capacity on an on- demand, pay per cycle basis. As per the definition of National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cloud Computing refers to “pay-per-use” model which enable convenient, on demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction (Mell and Grance, 2009). This definition divulge that in cloud the end users can access the service anytime from anywhere, share data and pool resources more easily, and keep their data safely in the infrastructure. This model promotes accessibility and consists of five key characteristics: they are on-demand self-service, broad network access, resource pooling, rapid elasticity and measured service (David S. Linthicum, 2010). In cloud, organizations do not need to invest a huge amount on hardware and software even though the organizations may have geographically separated location. Organization can select the cloud depend on their budget and needs. If the organization prefer public cloud, can get the resources from the cloud service providers such as Amazon, Google, IBM, Yahoo, eBay, Microsoft, etc. or they may have their own cloud. Cloud would be most advantageous not only to the business but also in management of government, health care and education sectors. Business Implications of Cloud Computing One of the most obvious business implication of cloud computing is saves money. Adoption of cloud within the business eco system has the ability to decrease costs in several ways as hardware, software, maintenance, space, equipment, and energy needed to run the business. Hence the cloud enables businesses, the ability to provide regular product or services with lower cost. Cloud in business environment not only reduce the capital investment but also reduce the investment in human resource. Organizations can easily share data across their divisions with the cloud computing technology in the fastest and easiest way which helps the businesses especially in saves the time of the information acquisition. Another implication of cloud is that the organizations do not need to be in one specific location. The organization can be anywhere in the world and they can access the service whenever they need. Even the employees of the organization also do not need to be in their office all the time to complete their work assignment, they can complete the task in efficient manner at any time. Challenges of Cloud However the cloud helps to increase profit, and business value within short time frame while red uce cost, it still in its infancy. It associated with numerous challenges.