Open smart classroom: Extensible and scalable smart space using Web service technology

Abstract

Real-time interactive virtual classroom with tele-education experience is an important type of distance learning, while the current available systems are not able to connect different classrooms in open network for intercontinental and intercultural learning. Open Smart Classroom, which is an upgrade learning system based on Smart Classroom using Web Service technology, provides more extensible and scalable features to tackle the new requirements and challenges of distance learning. Open Smart Classroom is developed based on Open Smart Platform, the software computing infrastructure for Smart Space, which provide three new features: 1) open and standard interface for better mobile devices connection and communication without any prior configuration; 2) open services invocation channel between inside modules and outside systems 3) open network in which multiple Smart Spaces can connect and communicate with each other. Making use of these new features, Open Smart Classroom shows a novel and interesting experience to both of the teachers and students for intercultural and intercontinental distant learning, which also gives a significant research perspective of future distance blended learning system. © 2008 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.