GakuNinMoodle: Toward Robust E-Learning Services Using Moodle in Japan

Abstract

In this study, we aim to improve security awareness education by developing more robust e-learning services that can maintain itself in the busy period including the beginning of new semesters. This paper focuses on the improvement of e-learning services on Moodle with limited system resources. The course design and Moodle management were improved as follows after some workarounds: (1) The “Final Test, ” which is a JavaScript-based test inside the Shareable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) content was divided into a Moodle quiz module. “Conditional Activities” were then adopted to allow users to take the “Final Test” after the completion of the SCORM content. (2) The course was reset annually to delete all SCORM tracking data. In this study, we obtain effective operational findings for developing robust e-learning services, particularly for Moodle. As a result, we can provided robust e-learning services in Japan because GakuNinMoodle and the security awareness education course for federated institute, “Learn with Princess Rin Rin: Cyberethics” are accessed by 102 institutes including Kyoto University, Gunma University, and National Institute of Technology through actual operations. In general, database optimization is the best method for improving LMS performance with limited system resources. Specifically, online courses that include SCORM content should be considered as an overhead of API calls between LMS and SCORM content to determine a temporary solution under the constraint of limited resources to improve the performance of LMS when numerous accesses and downloads of learning reports are requested. Therefore, robust e-learning services with Moodle can be obtained even with limited resources. Additional research is being conducted to analyze learning records and system logs to improve the contents according to the assumption that the best method to improve e-learning is by considering learner's behavior.