Integration of External Tools in VLEs with the GLUE! Architecture: A Case Study

Abstract

This paper presents a case study of the usage of GLUE!, a loosely-coupled architecture that enables the integration of external tools in VLEs. The case study is a collaborative learning situation carried out through a VLE, but involving several external tools. GLUE! is used to instantiate and enact this situation in two authentic experiments. Evaluation results show that GLUE! alleviated educators in the instantiation process, and facilitated the effective collaboration among students. These results are relevant as this is a real situation with a complex structure and groups that change over time.