World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology

Vol:3 2009-01-28

Grid Learning; Computer Grid Joins to e-

Learning
A. Nassiry, and A. Kardan

based on client-server or peer- to - peer model, they have

Abstract—According to development of communications and some limitations; such as scalability, shareabilty [3],
web-based technologies in recent years, e-Learning has became very accessibility [4], availability, distributed computing and
important for everyone and is seen as one of most dynamic teaching storage.
methods.
In this paper we introduce a new suitable architecture for e-
Grid computing is a pattern for increasing of computing power
Learning which is based on grid computing and we call it
and storage capacity of a system and is based on hardware and
software resources in a network with common purpose. In this article Grid Learning Architecture.
we study grid architecture and describe its different layers. In this Grid computing opens a new horizon to e-Learning. In
International Science Index Vol:3, No:1, 2009 waset.org/Publication/8085

way, we will analyze grid layered architecture. Then we will other terms, e-Learning shall:
introduce a new suitable architecture for e-Learning which is based 1) Use power of distributed computers in grid
on grid network, and for this reason we call it Grid Learning network to create virtual labs.
Architecture. Various sections and layers of suggested architecture
2) Use distributed contents to create a completely
will be analyzed; especially grid middleware layer that has key role.
This layer is heart of grid learning architecture and, in fact, customised class for learners.
regardless of this layer, e-Learning based on grid architecture will 3) Make possible collaboration between education
not be feasible. resources, contents and services within grid
network [5].
Keywords—Distributed learning, Grid Learning, Grid network,
SCORM standard. II. E-LEARNING SYSTEMS
Most e-Learning systems consist of 4 parts as below:
I. INTRODUCTION
1) Role management.

W EB-BASED learning, tries to ease the process of

teaching and learning; So all electronic tools and
equipments are used to relate learner with environment. This
2) Authoring system.
3) Learning Management System (LMS).
4) Run-Time Environment.
model has benefits that we can rarely find in classic learning We can show such a system in Fig. 1. In this figure, relations
environments; such as interaction between learner and are seen in addition to system parts.
resources, independency from time and place, supervisory
capability and continuous validation [1].
At the other hand, according to increasing band-width and
usage of multimedia, e-Learning is used widely in on-line
classes [2].
Although there are many benefits for e-Learning, but we
can name some of its disadvantages as below:
1) Difference between LMS (Learning Management
System) and LCMS (Learning Content
Management System).
2) Difference between standards and formats of
creating electronic contents.
3) Difference between learner's and teacher's skill.
4) More attention to content and less attention to
interaction and co-operation.
Considering that most of current e-Learning systems are
Fig. 1 Convention model for e-Learning architecture
A. Nassiry is with the Young Researchers Club, Islamic Azad University,
Shahryar (Shahr-e-Qods) Branch, Iran (e-mail: [email protected]).
A. Kardan is with the Faculty of IT & Computer Engineering, Amirkabir
university of technology, Tehran, Iran (e-mail: [email protected]).

250
 World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology
Vol:3 2009-01-28

III. GRID COMPUTING standards are supported by softwares based on XML, SOAP,
Grid computing is a pattern for increasing the computing WSDL and UDDI; therefore, good approaches for
power and storage capacity of a system and according to heterogeneous resources problem are implemented. Forming
hardware and software resources in a network. XML-based metadata is a useful solution for interacting with
The name Grid is based on electric power distribution grids. different data; because not only make management of those
In those networks, consumer does not know that his/her power data possible, but also ease interchange of such information
is supplied from which specific power plant. The connection, and data.
itself, is more important [6], [7]. Web services are described by XML and some details are
considered for interaction between various services; such as
IV. GRID ARCHITECTURE message format, transport protocol and position of every
Grid architecture has a 5-layer basis. We can see this required resource.
architecture in Fig. 2. The layers are: You can see web services architecture in Fig. 3. This
architecture has 3 layers which are built on XML and DTD.
Three other layers are considered as purposes; such as
management, security and communication via different
services.
International Science Index Vol:3, No:1, 2009 waset.org/Publication/8085

Fig. 3 Web services architecture and its purposes

Fig. 2 Grid protocol architecture

1) Fabric Layer: The lowest layer in grid architecture. All 1) SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol): This protocol is
shareable resources are placed in this layer; such as lowest layer in web services architecture and is responsible
processors, memories, sensors and actuators. It is clear for relation between consumer and provider of services.
that in grid network, grid protocols are responsible for SOAP has a mechanism for sending and receiving
resource control. messages and is compatible with STMP, FTP and HTTP
protocol. SOAP is not necessarily used in grid networks
2) Connectivity Layer: In this layer those protocols are and we can use other protocols according to our
placed which are related to communication and requirements.
authentication. 2) WSDL (Web Services Description Language): This
language is middle layer in architecture and describes web
3) Resource Layer: All common actions related to network services; therefore, WSDL creates a framework for
parts are guided in this layer; like negotiation, initiation, describing web services based on service protocols.
monitoring, control, accounting and payment. 3) UDDI (Universal Description, Discovery and Integration):
The highest layer in web services architecture. This layer
4) Resource Layer: All common actions related to network has stored a standard description for services in itself. In
parts are guided in this layer; like negotiation, initiation, other words, UDDI is a discovery service in WSDL layer
monitoring, control, accounting and payment. to search a service properly.

5) Collective Layer: Any Collaborative operations in the VI. SUGGESTED ARCHITECTURE FOR E-LEARNING GRID
shareable resources are placed in this layer. According to grid network architecture, our suggested
layered structure is shown in Fig. 4. This architecture has 5
V. WEB SERVICES layers as below:
Web services are methods for required softwares which we
want to access in WWW easily; In fact, they prepare a
platform for relation between installed softwares and different
hardwares.
Web services standards are known as W3C. These

251
 World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology
Vol:3 2009-01-28

1) Infrastructure layer: This layer constructs network educational resources. We will be able to communicate
communication infrastructure and consists of computer in a full heterogeneous environment and have access to
equipments and network protocols. static and dynamic information flexibly.
3) GRLS: This part of layer contains all services which help
2) Basic service oriented architecture: This layer contains all us to manage grid computing environment. Grid FTP is a
services related to protocols such as WSDL, SOAP, version of FTP that clarifies necessities of grid
UDDI and XML; so flexible and reliable interaction with computing.
upper layers will occur.
International Science Index Vol:3, No:1, 2009 waset.org/Publication/8085

Fig. 5 Grid middleware layer in detail

B. e-Content Layer
This is the last layer in our suggested model and all learning
contents are placed there. As we know, for containing and
management of e-Contents we need a LCMS or Learning
Fig. 4 Suggested Architecture for e-Learning Grid Content Management System. SCORM reference model [9]
indicates factors for validating e-Contents. This standard is
3) Grid middleware layer: This layer is heart of suggested concerned to 2 subjects: packaging contents and interchanging
architecture. E-Learning based on grid architecture will information with run-time environment.
be feasible with this layer. According to SCORM standard, a content package is
4) Content layer: This layer consists of all educational consisted of 3 parts that we can see in Fig. 6.
resources, which are placed in separated systems.

5) E-Learning grid protocol: This layer is an interface

between learners and grid network.
We will describe middleware and content layers more
precisely.
A. Grid Middleware Layer
You can see details of this layer in Fig. 5. This layer
consists of 3 service sub layers, called GRAM (Grid Resource
Allocation and Management Services), MDS (Monitoring and
Discovery Services) and GRLS (Grid FTP and Replica
Location Protocol). The first point that should be considered
in implementation of this layer is using Globus Toolkit 4 or Fig. 6 Packaging e-Content, according to SCORM standard
shortly GT4. This toolkit provides us with all software tools
which are necessary for grid computing among grid network a) Manifest: Part of e-Content that gives necessary
[8]. information for that package.
1) GRAM: The activities which are performed in this sub a. Meta data: Identification information for
layer are resource registry, resource execution, introduction of e-Content; such as subject,
exploration of required resources and secure access to author, multimedia type, etc.
specific resources. The GRAM tool (Grid Resource b. Organization: Information that show
Allocation and Management) is used for this purpose. structure of e-Content.
2) MDS: These services cooperate in process of using c. Resources: Part of manifest that indicates

252
 World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology
Vol:3 2009-01-28

resources in a tree structure. that its achievements are very important for m-Learning [14].
b) Physical Files: All files which are used in creation of an One of the notable benefits of service oriented grid is
electronic lesson. sharing services. In m-Learning, part of a giant software is
c) Content Package Interchange File: Prepares a common loaded whenever is required. So, in our suggested architecture
infrastructure for interchange between packaging learner's machine does not need too many memories.
content and run-time environment. Another considerable point in grid e-Learning is using
processors all over grid. Thus, according to little process
C. e-Learning Grid Portal
power in mobile devices, it is possible to use other processors.
In this architecture, grid portal is an interface between all This capability can be used in virtual labs and simulation
learners and resources all over of learning grid; so all users systems.
after authentication (entering their user name and password)
can access to related resource.
X. CONCLUSION
VII. LEARNING PROCESS DESIGN IN E-LEARNING Grid learning presents a new approach for e-Learning
services. It is necessary to consider new technologies and
One of the most important problems facing e-Learning
architectures for grid networks. Consideration of standards
designers is role of pedagogical requirements. Therefore, we
and policy is notable too. According to geographical
should consider learner's activities in process [10].
separation of grid networks, we should pay attention to user's
An Important achievement in recent years is a framework
behaviour and pedagogical requirements. Finally, a suitable
called IMS-LD. This framework introduces a language for
International Science Index Vol:3, No:1, 2009 waset.org/Publication/8085

process for learning must be designed.

description of learning process which is known as learning
Scenario. We can define various activities in learning process
REFERENCES
as series of rules [11].
[1] I. Foster, C. Kesselman, and S. Tuecke, “The Anatomy of the Grid
In short terms, we have to consider a suitable scenario for
Enabling Scalable Virtual Organizations,” International J.
learning in grid. In this case, 2 factors are notable: IMS-LD Supercomputer Applications, Vol. 15, No.3, 2001.
and technologic approaches for implementation of scenario [2] B. Hall, “New Technology Definitions”, retrieved August 5, 2003 from
[12]. http://www.brandonhall.com/ public/ glossary/index.htm, 2003.
[3] I. Foster and C. Kesselman, “The Grid: Blueprint for a New Computing
Infrastructure”, Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp.2-50, 2004.
VIII. SERVICE ORIENTED DISTRIBUTED E-LEARNING [4] F. Berman, G. Fox, T. Hey (et al), “Grid Computing: Making the Global
Infrastructure a Reality”, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 2003.
Every Learning Management System (LMS) or Learning [5] B. Hall, “New Technology Definitions”, retrieved August 5, 2003 from
Content Management System (LCMS) has different http://www.brandonhall.com/ public/ glossary/ index.htm, 2003.
capabilities and tools for users. Also, it may only use a text [6] Adelsberger, H.H., B. Collis, J. M. Pawlowski, (et al.), “Handbook on Information
Technologies for Education and Training”, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 2002.
chat environment, not a video conference tool. [7] F. Berman, G. Fox, T. Hey (et al.), “Grid Computing: Making the
A Service is an entity in grid which has specific capability Global Infrastructure a Reality”, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York,
to do a job. As we mentioned before, service oriented 2003.
[8] V. Pankratius, G. Vossen, “Towards E-Learning Grids: using Grid
architecture combines grid network with web services to reach
Computing in Electronic Learning”, Proceeding of IEEE Workshop on
a distributed frame work for learners [13]. Knowledge Grid and Grid Intelligence, Nova Scotia, Canada, pages:4-
So it is very important to consider standards for resources. 15, 2003.
These standards shall cover exploration, dedication, [9] IMS Global Learning Consortium, Inc. (2001) Draft Standard for Learning
Object Metadata. IEEE Publication P1484.12.1/D6.4, 2002.
accounting and co-ordinations related to resources. [10] F. Orciuoli; “Learning Design and distributed e-learning”; Learning
Some of the topics around Service Oriented Distributed e- GRID Newsletter #4: April 2005.
Learning for future researches are: [11] Nicola Capuano and Antonio De Pascale, “Education Modeling
Languages and Learning Grid”, Learning Grid (a newsletter form the
1) User identification and authentication. Kaleidoscope Learning Grid SIG), Issue #11: April 2007
2) Learning policy management. [12] H. Hummel, J. Manderveld, C. Tattersall and R. Koper - Educational
3) Learning services discovery. modeling language and learning design. Int. J. Learning Technology,
Vol. 1, No. 1, 2004.
4) Service level agreement. [13] Open Grid Service Architecture v1.0, https://forge.gridforum.org/
5) Service level monitoring. projects/ogsawg/docman
6) Virtual education organization creation. [14] D. E. Millard, Arouna Woukeu, Feng Tao, Hugh C Davis, “The
7) Membership and inner communication management of Potential of Grid for Mobile e-Learning”, School of Electronics and
Computer Science University of Southampton, Southampton, UK {dem,
services. aw1, ft, hcd}@ecs.soton.ac.uk
8) Orchestration of services.
A. Nassiry has B.Sc. degree in the field of Computer Engineering from
Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran (2004) and M.Sc. degree in the field of
IX. GRID CAPABILITIES FOR MOBILE LEARNING IT Management from Amirkabir University of technology, Tehran, Iran
The increase in computing power and development of (2007). His current research interests are computer networks (specially NGN)
and CGI. Now, he is with the Department of Computer Engineering, Islamic
equipment has created a new approach in e-Learning called Azad University, Shahryar (Shahr-e-Qods) Branch, Iran.
Mobile Learning or m-Learning. Service oriented grid is a
reliable and suitable platform for e-Learning and it is clear

253
 World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology
Vol:3 2009-01-28

A. Kardan has B.Sc. degree in the field of Electric Engineering from Sharif
University of Technology, Tehran, Iran (1976) and M.Sc. degree in the field
of Digital Systems from Brunel University, London, UK (1986) and Ph.D. in
the field of Bio-Electric from Imperial College, London, UK (1990). His
current research interests are embedded systems engineering, e-learning and
virtual environments. Now, he is with the Faculty of IT & Computer
Engineering, Amirkabir University of technology, Tehran, Iran.
International Science Index Vol:3, No:1, 2009 waset.org/Publication/8085

254