An Expert Consultant for Cloudifying E-Learning Environments

The need for e-Learning is becoming apparent due to the scarceness of resources of the traditional education. Therefore, many education and training organizations became aware of the importance of adopting e-Learning. In addition, new purely virtual learning organizations start emerging intensively. On the other hand, new technology-namely, cloud computing-has emerged. Business enterprises adopted this technology and have developed Cloud-based business models in which both infrastructures as well as software applications are offered for renting, which make it possible to use expensive infrastructures and software applications without high setup expenses yet at affordable low operating costs. This research studied how to employ Cloud Computing in e-Learning business. The different types of e-Learning organizations are identified and the e-Learning services offered by each type are classified. The Cloud Model that best fits the nature of each of these services according to the e-Learning organizations´ affordability of resources as well as the abilities of the technological environment is then recommended. Accordingly, taxonomy of Cloud Models mix is defined for each type of those e-Learning organizations and a rule-based expert consultant system (SCCeLE) is developed to aid them in determining the best cloud model mix that best fits their current situations and targets. On the other hand, this developed taxonomy, is believed, will encourage the Cloud Service Providers (CSP) to conquer the business of e-Learning as it aids them in drawing a full picture on the e-Learning market and supports them in identifying their target market and in developing their e-Learning support business packages.