framework of content management system for uitm elearning system

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C O N F E R E N C E ON S C I E N T I F I C & S O C I A L R E S E A R C H

Paper number: 1

FRAMEWORK OF CONTENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR UITM E-

LEARNING SYSTEM

Prasanna Ramakrisnan, Nisdaitul Fara Mohd Basir

Mohd Nor Hajar Hasrol Jono, Nurmaisara Za’ba,

Nurul Hidayah Mat Zain, Siti Rahayu Abdul Aziz, Mohd Ali Mohd Isa.

Faculty of Computer & Mathemathical Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, MALAYSIA

[email protected], [email protected], [email protected],

[email protected], [email protected], [email protected],

[email protected]

ABSTRACT

This research focuses on proposing a suitable framework of Content Management System (CMS) for

UiTM e-learning system. Thus, the objective of this research is to identify the requirements of CMS for

UiTM e-learning system, followed by to identify and analyze the existing e-learning framework and

finally to proposed the suitable framework of CMS for UiTM e-learning system. In addition, three

frameworks have been selected and compared; which was the Sun Microsystems E-Learning

framework, the IMF Abstract framework (IAF) and also the Semantic Web e-Learning Framework

(SELF). Finding shows that SUN framework is the best framework. This framework consisted of four

layers which are the presentation tier, common service tier, e-learning service tier and the resource tier.

At the end of this research, framework is proposed to UiTM system developers. It will be used as a

guideline in developing the CMS for UiTM e-learning system.

Keywords: Content Management System (CMS), e-learning, framework

1. INTRODUCTION

E-Learning can be defined as the education created and delivered using the technologies related to the

combination of computer, internet and the telephony. E-learning also can include content delivery in

multiple formats, management of learning experience and a community of networked learners, content

developers and experts (Chadha, 2002). It brings learning to the desktop of people (Chadha, 2002) and

makes the teaching and learning process between students and teachers become easier.

Currently, UiTM has its own e-learning system that was known as the I-Learn Portal. I-Learn portal

was launched on 30th December 2005 by the UiTM I-Learn Centre. Its vision is to provide benefits to

make UiTM a premier university of outstanding scholarship and academic excellence through e-learning.

The system performs very well and provides benefits to the learners and lecturers in order to make the

teaching and learning process become easier. The system is being developed using the Open Source

Software which involved PHP and MySQL programs as database. Although I-Learn Portal provide many

benefits to the user but there are some changes need to be made the system. The content of the system

need be organized and standardized. The developers are trying to standardize the content of the system to

make it become more systematic. Because of that, the CMS is selected in order to solve the problems.

CMS is not a product or technology (Browning & Lownders, 2001). It can be described as a robust

web content manager that collects, manages and publishes information and functionality of a web site

(Roberstson, 2003). It makes the process of creating the content through to publishing and to archiving

become easier (Robertson, 2003). CMS is essential when maintaining a large complex website (Knafo,

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2007). The goal of CMS is to increase the integration and automation of the process that support the

effectiveness of delivery (Browning & Lownders, 2001).

Before the system developers can start in developing a good CMS, they need to find the right guideline

that can bring them to the right way in producing a good CMS. Framework is defined as the core of the

CMS. A robust framework can be used in order to create a successful CMS. Framework can be

described as a diagram representing on how things works and it provides the functionalities for developer

in different features (Knafo, 2007). It can do several things such as it can make easier to work with

complex technologies and it can ties together a bunch of discrete components into something more useful.

Therefore, this research paper will guide the system developers to build the CMS for UiTM e-learning

system. Before the development of CMS, the system developer need to find the right framework to make

the CMS works well and meets all the requirements. At the end of this research, a suitable framework

will be proposed where it can become as a guideline for the developers to develop learning based CMS.

2. LITERATURE REVIEW Framework is a conceptual model for developing architecture. It is a diagram representing on how things works. A framework should undertake sustainability appraisal of projects, plans and strategies. Framework can do several things such as it can make easier to work with complex technologies and it can ties together a bunch of discrete components into something more useful (Clifton, 2003). In object-oriented and design, framework can be described as the design of an application or subsystem. It also can be described as a set of abstract classes and the way objects in those classes collaborate (Johnson, 1998). It also forces the team to implement code in a way that promotes consistent and flexible applications. With a robust framework, the developers have the ability to create a successful CMS. An excellent framework means that it is documented very well. It will give the flexibility for the developers to perform different actions on a particular application (Clifton, 2003). Based on the article that being written by Marc Clifton, framework can be classified as a wrapper, architecture and a methodology. As a wrapper, it simplifies an interface to a technology, it reduce repetitive task and often re-usable regardless of high level design consideration.

Figure 1: Wrapper

Figure 2 is the ideal way to develop a framework. First thing that should be done is analyzed the

problem domain. Someone have to learn well-known abstractions of the problem domain and collects

examples of programs to be built from framework with a minimum number of four or five programs.

Then the next process id designing that abstraction that covers and lastly testing the framework by using it

to solve the examples. Each example is separate the application and testing a framework means writing

the software (Johnson, 1998).

Figure 2: Phases of Developing a Framework

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There are also some typical ways to develop a framework. Based on what has been written by Ralph

Johnson with a title object-oriented programming and design, someone that wants to build a framework

have to notice that many applications are similar. They should take notice that framework is not very

reusable. If this happen, then it should be fixed by developing the next application reusing as much

software as possible.

Figure 3 is the example of Sun e-Learning framework that has treated the various service and product

component separately. It also provides the premier integrated, robust, scalable, and flexible and secure

Services on Demand platform. The Sun framework is more easily fundamental and it is well positioned to

provide end to-end service and hardware support (Sun, 2003).

Figure 3: Sun e-Learning Framework 2.1 Types of Network

2.1.1 IMS Abstract Framework (IAF)

The IAF is also known as the IMF Abstract Framework that was produced by the IMS Global Learning

Consortium Inc. The framework acts as a device to enable the IMS to describe the context by which it

develops its e-learning technology specification (Smythe, 2003). The IAF is an abstract representation

that is used to construct an e-learning system. It also being used to covers the possible range of e-learning

architecture that could be constructed from the set of defined services and it focused on the support of

distributed electronic learning systems. The framework provides a common language for the development

of IMS specifications, an explicit system context for individual IMS specifications, a context joint

development of specifications and as a model of how it all fits together.

2.1.2 Sun Microsystems E-Learning Framework

The framework is being developed by the Sun Microsystems and it has been tested by the UK

eUniversities. The Sun Microsystems E-Learning Framework can be considered as a roadmap for the

decision-makers at every education level to adopt. The goal of the framework is to allow the different

kinds of computing and application environments work together, instead of abandoning them and start

building it all over again. The framework is focusing on the learner and it said that it is the key to any

successful e-learning implementation (Sun, 2003). The Sun Microsystems E-learning Framework is

broken down into four layers whereby each of the layers contains a series of modular components. The

layers are the presentation tier, the common service tier, e-learning tier and resource tier (Smythe, 2003).

2.1.3 Semantic Grid-Based E-Learning Framework (SELF)

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The SELF or semantic grid-based e-learning framework aims to identify the key-enablers in a practical

grid-based e-learning environment and also to minimize technological reworking by proposing a well

define interaction plan among available tools and technologies. The implementation of SELF will follow

a bottom up approach to better understand and mask the heterogeneous issues of combining the semantic

with grid computing and also will provide the best seamless support available of both paradigms (Zabeer

Abbas, 2005).

3. METHODOLOGY

In order to accomplish this research, a suitable research approach and methodology have been used.

There are six phases that needed to be fulfilled where all the phases represent the technique used in

conducting the research. This chapter will discuss the phases, methods and deliverables of the

approaches. The methodology and approaches that will be used in this research is stated as below:

Figure 4: Research Approach and Methodology

3.1 Research overview and problem identification

The first phase of the research methodology in this project is the research overview and problem

identification. This phase describe the overview of the research and identify all the problems of the

research. Other than that, the project background will be identified. This phase is important in order to

proceed to the next phase. The deliverables from the completion of this phase were the research

background and the problem statement.

Identify project

background and the

problem

Project

Planning • Objectives,

scope and

significance of research.

• Raw Data

• Gather

requirements.

Secondary

Data

-Journals

-Articles

-Books

Primary Data

-Interview

Identifying the scope,

objectives and

significance of the

research

Knowledge

Acquisition

DESCRIPTION/ACTIVITIE OUTPUT APPROACH

Research background and

problem statement

Research

Overview and

Problem

Identification

Propose a suitable

framework

Comparison of selected

framework

Delivery

Knowledge

Representation

Matrix of the selected

framework

(Objective 2 achieved)

Framework


Data

Collection

Analyzed the

requirements

Use Case


Data Analysis

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3.2 Project Planning

The next phase of the methodology is known as the project planning. During this phase, it helps to

identify the scopes, objectives and the significance of the research. All the deliverables is based on the

knowledge that was already gathered in the first phase. There are three objectives of the research were

recognized. Other than that, the activity or the task of the research will also be done during this phase.

The Project Gant Chart is produced to be as a guideline in order to make sure that all tasks will be

completed on time.

3.3 Knowledge Acquisition

The next phase of the methodology is known as the knowledge acquisition. This phase described on

how the information about the research will be gathered. There are two types of data collection that can

be done. There are the primary and secondary data. Primary data means that the original data collection

for a specific research goal. While, secondary data can be defined as the data that is original collected for

a different study and used again for a new research questions.

3.4 Data Analysis

During the analysis phase, the requirements that have been gathered from primary and secondary

sources will be analyzed. Afterward, a use case diagram is provided to describe the flow of the system.

The use case consisted of actor involved and functions within the system. Thus, the use case diagram had

accomplished the first objective of the research.

3.5 Knowledge Representation

The next phase of this research was known as the knowledge representation. This phase provides the

presentation of the comparisons of framework for developing the learning based system. The comparison

of the selected framework was done based on:

• Role

• Procedure Model

• Techniques

• Specification Documents

3.6 Delivery

The last phase of the methodology is known as delivery. The framework will describe on how things

work. From all the information in the previous phase, the suitable framework is chosen and proposed to

the UiTM. The chosen framework was SUN framework. The information regarding the existing

framework is being used as a guideline in order to propose a framework of content management system

for UiTM e-Learning system where it will be used by the UiTM system developers in attempt to build the

CMS based on the field of learning. Thus, the third objective of this research has been accomplished. 4. RESULTS AND FINDINGS

In conducting this research, some important lesson and experience has been learned. Firstly, the

interview session with the related persons and document observations at the I-Learn Centre of UiTM have

been done in order to investigate on how the e-learning is being used and gathered the requirements

needed by the user. Other than that, the observation through an existing CMS has been done to identify

the requirements needed. Secondly, the existing e-learning frameworks have been identified and analyzed

based on the research concept. The frameworks that are analyzed are the Sun Microsystems E-Learning

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framework, the IMF Abstract framework (IAF) and the Semantic Web e-Learning framework (SELF).

The elements of comparison that will used to analyze the selected frameworks are the procedure model,

techniques, role and also the specification documentation. From the observation, the suitable information

will be used in order to propose a suitable framework for the UiTM e-learning system.

First Objective: To identify and analyze the requirements of the content management system for UiTM

e-Learning system.

Findings:

Figure 5: Use Case Diagram

From the interview session and observation through the existing CMS website, the requirements

gathered have been summarized in a form of use case diagram as shown in Figure 5. There are several

modules that should be implemented in the CMS for the field of learning. All the modules will be used

by the system developers that are responsible to develop the e-learning system for the UiTM. With CMS,

it provides the great functionality for the system developers to develop the UiTM e-learning system.

The actors that involved were the system developer, lecturer and student. With the system, the process

of adding new user (registration) and managing the user profile can be done easily by the actor involved.

Furthermore, with CMS the developer can create and manage the page that will be used in developing the

e-learning system. Other than that, the system also provides the authority for the developer to create,

manage, view and search the courses that will be used in the system. But for the lecturer and student, they

only can view and search for specific courses and pages. They do not have the authority to manage the

course and page of the system.

Finally, there are also some modules that relates to the content management such as create, manage,

publish, search and view the content of the system that can be used by the developer and also the lecturer.

While, the student just can view and search for specific content that provided by the system.

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Second objective: To identify and analyze the existing e-learning frameworks.

Findings: Comparison of frameworks

a. The first step is to choose some of the existing e-learning framework. The frameworks that have been

selected were The Sun Microsystems E-Learning Framework (SUN), The IMS Abstract Framework

(IAF) and the Semantic Grid-Based E-Learning Framework (IAF).

b. The frameworks have been compared based on four basic elements that are role, procedure model,

and technique and specification document.

c. The strength and weaknesses between the frameworks were identifying. The strength of those three

frameworks is showing by the successfully accomplishment of procedure model for each of the

framework and the weaknesses is that the techniques for developing the framework is not fully

defined.

From the result, SUN is fully defined its role, procedure model, techniques and specification

document besides IAF is fully defined only for three basic elements except for the techniques. SELF

is fully defined their role and procedure model but the other elements are not fully defined.

However, this research requires a framework that guides to the development of content management

system for UiTM e-learning. The information and explanations from each of the framework will be

used as the guideline in order to propose a suitable framework for UiTM at the end of this project.

Based from the result, SUN provides a lot of suitable information where it can be used in order to

complete this research project. Therefore, it will be the major reference and guideline throughout the

research.

d. Finally, the SUN framework has been selected to be used as the guideline in order to complete this

research project. As mentioned before SUN consist of four layers that are the presentation tier,

common tier, e-learning service tier and the resource tier. Besides, the framework also provides many

benefits to the learners and also the educators. Other than that, the suitable information regarding the

other two frameworks will also be used as the additional information throughout this research.

Third objective: To proposed the suitable framework of content management system for UiTM e-

learning system.

Findings:

From the result that has been achieved earlier, the chosen framework was the SUN framework. It has

been chosen based on the four elements of comparison. There are roles, procedure model, techniques and

specification document. The framework has fully defined its roles where it is responsible in order to

provide flexible, stable and proven e-learning infrastructure. Thus, it is easier to understand the purpose

of the framework and how it helps in order to implement and manage the e-learning system.

The framework also described the procedure model that consisted in four layers whereby each of the

layers represents different kind of responsibility. The model was simple and easy to understand whereby

the roles for each of the layers have been defined by the Sun Microsystems Inc. Other than that, the UML

compliant modeling tool has been used to develop multiple views of the system. Finally, there were some

documents that can be reviewed throughout this research project. The framework was tested by the UK

eUniversities. The system was developed to provide online delivery of UK higher education courses to

students in order to improved access to higher education in United Kingdom.

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Figure 6: Framework that Proposed to the UiTM System Developers.

5. CONCLUSION AND FUTURE WORK

There are three objectives that have been discussed in order to complete this research. The first

objective is to identify and analyze the requirements of content management system for UiTM e-learning

system. There were some approaches that have been conducted in order to complete this objective. The

approaches are by gathering the collection of data from primary and secondary sources. In order to gather

the primary data, interview sessions have been conducted with the UiTM I-Learn Centre’s staff. Other

than that, there were also interview sessions that have been conducted with the person that familiar with

the content management system in order to gather information regarding the research concept. Web

observation and reading form the secondary data were also being conducted to gain more knowledge and

information to achieve this objective. As a result, the first objective has been achieved where the result

was shown in a form of use case diagram.

The second objective of this research is to identify and analyzed the existing e-learning framework.

From the study through the secondary data, there were three e-learning frameworks have been identified.

The research has compared the Sun Microsystems E-Learning framework, the IMF Abstract framework

(IAF) and also the Semantic Web e-Learning framework (SELF). As a result, the framework that has

been selected was the SUN framework. Thus, the second objective has been achieved.

The third and final objective of this research is to propose the suitable framework of content

management system for UiTM e-learning system. In order to achieve this objective, the details

description regarding the framework was stated. The framework was consisted of four layers that were

known as the presentation tier, common service tier, e-learning service tier and the resource tier. Each of

the layers has its own responsibility where the presentation tier handles the interaction between the user

and the application. Common service tier represents the service that every user needs to do e-learning. It

also controls the functions and communicates with the presentation tier and the result obtained will

represents to the users. E-learning service tier described the components that relates to the e-learning

application while the resource tier will provides data to the components of the upper layer. The

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framework will be proposed and give the guideline for the developers in order to build the content

management system for UiTM e-learning system. Hence, the third objective has been achieved. REFERENCES

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