A Service-oriented Approach for Pervasive Learning Grid

This investigation proposed a service-oriented approach based on a pervasive learning grid for solving the difficulties associated with sharing learning resources distributed on different e-Learning platforms. Furthermore, the p-Learning grid not only enabled collaboration and effective reuse of the learning objects, but also supported learning at anytime and anywhere. Since the WSDL of web service remained poorly defined and with poor dispatch ability in service-level agreements for resource description, the distributed resources could not be effectively managed and service collaboration could not be achieved. Moreover, grid service was generated based on web services and grid technology which supported good description of services and management mechanisms. The p-Learning Grid was based on grid service technology (Globus Toolkit 3 [28], Grid Services Flow Language [17], etc.) combined with mobile devices and relevant technologies for supporting a pervasive and collaborative system in which resources could be effectively managed and shared. This study used three self-developed learning platforms integrated with GT3 to provide the grid engine used to implement the entire system. The experiment created English learning objects accessible via Nokia, Sony Ericsson, and Motorola mobile phones.