Security concerns and remedy in a cloud based e-learning system

Cloud computing is an emerging technology and it utilizes the cloud power to many technical solutions. The e-learning solution is one of those technologies where it implements the cloud power in its existing system to enhance the functionality providing to e-learners. Cloud technology has numerous advantages over the existing traditional e-learning systems. However security is a major concern in cloud based e-learning. Therefore security measures are unavoidable to prevent the loss of users’ valuable data from the security vulnerabilities. This paper investigates various security issues involved in cloud based e-learning technology with an aim to suggest remedial in the form of security measures and security management standards. These will help to overcome the security threats in cloud based e-learning technology. Solving the key problems will also encourage the widespread adoption of cloud computing in educational institutes.

A hierarchical cloud pricing system

Cloud computing is experiencing phenomenal growth and there are now many vendors offering their cloud services. In cloud computing, cloud providers cooperate together to offer their computing resource as a utility and software as a service to customers. The demands and the price of cloud service should be negotiated between providers and users based on the Service Level Agreement (SLA). In order to help cloud providers achieving an agreeable price for their services and maximizing the benefits of both cloud providers and clients, this paper proposes a cloud pricing system consisting of hierarchical system, M/M/c queuing model and pricing model. Simulation results verify the efficiency of our proposed system.

A general cloud firewall framework with dynamic resource allocation

Cloud is becoming a dominant computing platform. However, we see few work on how to protect cloud data centers. As a cloud usually hosts many different type of applications, the traditional packet level firewall mechanism is not suitable for cloud platforms in case of complex attacks. It is necessary to perform anomaly detection at the event level. Moreover, protecting objects are more diverse than the traditional firewall. Motivated by this, we propose a general framework of cloud firewall, which features event level detection chain with dynamic resource allocation. We establish a mathematical model for the proposed framework. Moreover, a linear resource investment function is proposed for economical dynamical resource allocation for cloud firewalls. A few conclusions have been extracted for the reference of cloud service providers and designers.

Integration of cloud based learning in project oriented design based learning

The School of Engineering at Deakin University has been practicing design based learning as one of its engineering learning principles for further development in the learning and teaching process. It has been exploring the student and industry perspectives in this regards and has embarked in the development of a new framework for a project oriented design based learning approach for the development of the engineering curriculum. Along with this change in the engineering curriculum Deakin University also has been going through a major change in the delivery of education. The policy shift has been initiated through Live the Future: Agenda 2020 which focusses on Cloud and Located Learning. This change in policy has had an impact on delivery framework for the project oriented design based learning model which has been incorporated through the use of lecture videos, a learning management system called Cloud Deakin and online tutorials through the eLive system.

Innovative unit delivery : the supported cloud

Deakin University has recently moved to an academic calendar of three trimesters. This change aims to provide students with greater flexibility to plan their study around work or life commitments, create options for students to commence their degree and enable students to fast track their study. It has been found for students in the Bachelor of Construction Management that engagement and satisfaction during summer (Trimester 3) are less than when those same units are delivered during other trimesters. This research addresses the use of Supported Cloud learning to improve learning and the relationship with students. The School of Architecture and Built Environment used two units as case studies to examine different innovative unit delivery strategies that combined cloud and located learning. The research design included evaluation surveys, questionnaires, and semi-structured interviews as well as reflection by participating teachers. The findings show that students’ results are improved when the cloud based learning is supported by well-developed resources, structured delivery and availability of some face-to-face contacts. This innovation will serve as a benchmark for Cloud delivery in the School in all trimesters.

Innovative unit delivery : the supported cloud

Deakin University has recently moved to an academic calendar of three trimesters. This change aims to provide students with greater flexibility to plan their study around work or life commitments, create options for students to commence their degree and enable students to fast track their study. It has been found for students in the Bachelor of Construction Management that engagement and satisfaction during summer (Trimester 3) are less than when those same units are delivered during other trimesters. This research addresses the use of Supported Cloud learning to improve learning and the relationship with students. The School of Architecture and Built Environment used two units as case studies to examine different innovative unit delivery strategies that combined cloud and located learning. The research design included evaluation surveys, questionnaires, and semi-structured interviews as well as reflection by participating teachers. The findings show that students’ results are improved when the cloud based learning is supported by well-developed resources, structured delivery and availability of some face-to-face contacts. This innovation will serve as a benchmark for Cloud delivery in the School in all trimesters.