Design of A Learning Management System

for Mobile Media

Arif Rahman
Information Systems Department, Ahmad Dahlan University
Jl. Prof. Supomo, Yogyakarta 55164, Tel. (0274) 381523, 379 418
e-mail: [email protected]

range of delivery media more accessible. Another benefit

Abstract - This paper discusses design of m-learning
of E-learning is the cost efficiency in learning, especially
system which is extension of an e-learning system that
for cases where the students are away from the providers
can be accessed using mobile device. This system can be
of education or training, so that the learning process can
used as media to deliver the course materials and as an
be done independently without having to always do face
interaction channel between students and lecturer in
to face directly. Teachers also can still monitor the
mobile environment.
progress of their students and communicate via the
Four sequential steps were conducted in this study. First, Internet.
analysis of the system requirement, and then design of E-learning has evolved rapidly and it is supported by
architecture and user management of the system the development of information and communication
performed. After that, system design was implemented by technology infrastructure, which is increasingly fast and
installing and configuring the LMS (Learning affordable. Needs of e-learning users are now beginning
Management System) application as server and mobile to shift as a lifestyle change, which requires people to do
client application to access thus LMS. Finally, system more mobility. Users should be able to access e-learning
was tested its functionality. without having to settle in one place, but also when
moving to another place.
The learning system that was developed based on LMS
The development of mobile devices is now increasingly
Moodle as a server and Moodle Mobile as a client in
sophisticated with the presence of smart phones and
Android-based mobile devices have been able to run
tablets that allows users to access information more
according to its function and can be used to support
quickly and more practical without having to be stuck in
learning by providing materials that can be uploaded one place.
and downloaded With the rapid development of mobile devices,
Keywords : LMS, e-learning, m-learning
mobile learning systems or m-learning is developed,
1 Introduction which has a similar concept with e-learning, but has been
adapted to the specifications of mobile devices, which has
Mobile device technology has affected various aspects several limitations in contrast to ease owned, including
of public life in recent years. This new technology has screen size relatively small compared to PCs or laptops in
also gradually affecting education in order to expand general.
opportunities for learning and training process. The
emergence of mobile technology in education seems 2 Theoretical Background
timely, given the current needs in the study, namely:
access to learning materials more widely and more 2.1 M-Learning Definition
quickly and the need to communicate quickly and
continuously. Thus, the learning process of organizing The term mobile learning appears to refer to the use of
institutions must find ways to improve and to cope with handheld devices and mobile information technologies,
the new demands of the learning process. Not such as PDAs , mobile phones , laptops or tablet PCs , in
surprisingly, many new technologies being explored by teaching and learning activities . However, for the
many organizations to improve the provision of a better definition of m-learning , there are several definitions . M
learning environment for stakeholders, namely students - Learning is any kind of learning where the learner is not
and educators and the community. (Keegan, 2002) at a fixed location or predetermined , or learning in which
learners take advantage of mobile technology ( Mobilearn
One example of the application of new technologies in , 2003) or other definitions are: M - Learning is the
the learning process is E-learning, a system that has intersection of mobile computing and e - Learning . The
changed the learning process, from which only limited in sources can be accessed from anywhere, search
a classroom environment at school became an almost capabilities and strong support, rich interactions, for
unlimited scope that is on the internet involving more effective learning and assessment based on performance.
participants and learning materials more varied with a E-Learning itself has the independence of space and time
(Quinn, 2000). M - Learning is part of the electronic synchronous and asynchronous learning at the same time.
learning (e-learning) so that, by itself, is also part of the Classification can be described in Figure II.2
distance learning (d -learning) which can be described in
Figure II.1 ( Georgiev et al , 2004)

Figure 2.2. Classification of m-learning system

(Georgiev et al, 2005)
Figure 2.1 m-learning scheme

Some of the important capabilities that must be

2.3 Components of M-Learning
M-learning component includes three aspects, which
provided by m-Learning is the ability to connect to other
interact with each other to achieve successful learning
devices, especially computers, the ability of learning and
with mobile device technology, these three aspects are
the ability to present information to realize bilateral
(Sulisworo, 2012)
communication between teachers and learners. M-
Learning is a unique learning because learners can access 2.3.1 Devices Aspects
Aspect refers to the physical characteristics, technical,
learning materials, referrals and applications related to
and functional mobile devices. Physical characteristics
learning, anytime and anywhere. This will increase the
include the ability to input/output, storage, power,
focus on learning materials; making learning becomes
processor speed, compatibility and the ability to be
pervasive, and can encourage learners' motivation to
upgraded. These characteristics result from the design of
lifelong learning. In addition, compared to conventional
hardware and software and have a significant impact on
learning, m-learning allows for more opportunities for
the physical and psychological comfort level of the users.
collaboration in ad hoc and informal interaction among
These characteristics are important, because the mobile
learners.
device is the interface between student and the learning
task. Appropriate device will support successful learning.
2.2 Classification of M-Learning
M-Learning in different viewpoints can be classified 2.3.2 Students Aspects
into several parts (Georgiev et al, 2005). In terms of Aspects of students include individual cognitive abilities,
information and communication technologies, m-learning memory, prior knowledge, emotion and motivation. This
can be classified based on the following main indicators: aspect describes how students use what they already
(i) the type of supported mobile devices (notebooks, know and how they translate, remembering and
TabletPC, PDA, mobile phones or smart phones) and (ii) transferring information.
the type of wireless communication that is used to access
learning materials and administrative information (GPRS, 2.3.3 Social Aspects
GSM, IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, IrDA). Social aspects describe the process of social interaction
and cooperation. These individuals must comply with the
Classification of m-learning from a technological point rules that have been agreed to communicate and in
of teaching based on the following key indicators: (i) accordance with the existing culture so that students can
support or synchronous and asynchronous learning, (ii) exchange information and gain knowledge. In mobile
support e-learning standards, (iii) the availability of a learning culture can be physical and virtual.
permanent internet connection between m-learning
system and users, (iv) the location of the user and (v)
access to learning materials and / or administrative 3 Discussion
services.
3.1. System Analysis
According to the time of teachers and students share
Learning with e-learning applications need to manage the
information, m-learning can be classified into: (i) a
administration, contents, and documentation of e-
system that supports synchronous learning system that is
learning. Application to manage e-learning is a LMS
capable of supporting students to be able to communicate
(Learning Management System). this time, the majority
with teachers and other students in real time. For that
of LMS web application developed in an environment
purpose, voice communications, video chat or
that is technologically ready to go online.
communication can be used (ii) systems that support
M-learning system also requires management
asynchronous learning. In this system students can not
applications such as e-learning. However, due to
communicate in real time with the teacher and other
limitation of resources owned mobile devices than
students. E-mail and SMS are often used to exchange
computers, it is positioned as a client mobile device to
information in this system (iii) a system that supports
access services provided by the LMS server. Not all LMS
supports features to be accessed by mobile devices. This
is related to the limited size of the display on the mobile
device so that not all the user interface can be displayed
with the perfect and convenient to use. In addition, the
limited computational capabilities that cause the Client Database
processing time become relatively longer. E-learning

The conclusion that can be drawn from the above

review that is, to develop m-learning LMS is needed,
which supports accessing content by mobile devices, so
in addition to using a computer that has a relatively
limited mobility, users can access anytime, anywhere Server Mobile Learning
Administrator
with mobile devices Client

3.1.1 Specification of LMS

There are currently many options for LMS applications,
for personal or small organizations to large or enterprise-
class institution, which has simple features to complete
client
and advanced features. Survey LMS users on the Internet
can help to determine which LMS will be used. One of Figure 3.1 M-learning system architecture
the surveys is: The Top 20 Most Popular LMS Software
Solution by Capterra (capterra.com, 2013). Moodle The Mobile Learning server consists of the LMS as a
(Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning server for mobile learning applications that run on a web
Environment) which is an LMS in the category of FOSS server and a database server for data storage LMS server.
(Free and Open Source Software) ranked number one Management system by the administrator is performed
among others. through a web application, and in this architecture, the
Besides popularity and simplicity, completeness of user m-learning acts as a client that can access from
features and user support is a factor that must be mobile devices.
considered. Moodle also has comprehensive features,
including support for mobile learning 3.2.1 User Management
M-learning server provides services to the client mobile
3.1.2 Specification M-Learning Applications device, so it must be ensured that the server computer is
M-learning application is an application that is installed connected to the public network that can be accessed by a
and run on mobile devices. M-learning applications as mobile device that has different connection providers.
well as mobile applications can be a launcher / caller to Network and application security factors need to be
the address of the mobile web server, or a native app considered. M-learning system uses user password
created specifically for particular mobile device protection.
platforms, eg Android or Apple iOS. Moodle has been User authority settings also need to be considered to
providing a mobile version called Moodle Mobile for maintain the security of the system. Each user has a role
mobile learning management integrated with the LMS in the system, related to the authority in the system. List
server. These applications can run on the Android of user roles in this system is shown in Table 3.1
platform and Apple's iOS (docs.moodle.org, 2013)
Table 3.1 List of user roles
3.2. SYSTEM DESIGN No. Role Information
The design of m-learning systems in this study refers to 1 Managers can access and modify the
the results of the analysis in the previous section. Manager course, generally do not participate in
Designing learning systems with mobile devices consists the course.
of architectural design and management of learning. 2 Author
Course creator can create a new course.
courses
3.2.1 System Architecture 3 Teachers can do anything on the course,
Mobile device-based learning system is essentially a web- Teacher including changing the activities and
based application that can be accessed through the mobile assess students.
platform. So technically there is no much difference with 4 Teachers are not able to edit (non-
a web application that runs on the web server. This Teachers who editing teachers) can teach in a course
system also requires the management of application data do not edit and assess students, but cannot change
in the database server. M-learning system architecture in the activity.
this study is shown in Figure 3.1 5 Students generally have fewer rights in
Student
the course.
6 Guests have minimal privileges and
Guest
usually cannot enter text anywhere.
7 Authenticated
All users are logged on.
users
3.3 SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION
The design of m-learning system that has been made, will
be implemented so that it can be used for its intended, to
support mobile learning. Implementation conducted by
performing the steps of installation and configuration.
First step is to install the LMS server, in this study,
Moodle is selected and m-learning applications to be
installed on mobile devices is Moodle Mobile.
Implementation of the system is shown in Figure 3.2

Database
Client MySQL
Moodle Mobile

Web Server
Apache

LMS Figure 3.4 The initial view of Moodle Mobile

Moodle Administrator

Client
Moodle Mobile
3.3.2 System Configuration
Configuration settings in the LMS can only performed by
Figure 3.2 System implementation diagram
an administrator who has been registered in the system.
Administrator who has logged into the system can
IV.3.1 System Installation
activate the Mobile Web Service in Moodle through the
System Installation step begins with the installation of
menu Administration Site - Plugins - Web Services -
Web Server software, this study selected the Apache 2.0
Mobile. Then Enable Web services for mobile devices as
Web Server. Then, proceed with the installation of the
in Figure 3.5
programming language PHP 5.3. The web server must be
setup in order to communicate with PHP. After that, the
database server MySQL 5.x is also installing.

The next step is to install Moodle 2.4 LMS server, which

downloaded first. Moodle also require adjustment of the
configuration settings to a MySQL database connection,
by editing the config.php file. If you have successfully
installed, if calling from a browser, the display appears as
in Figure 3. 3

Figure 3.5 Mobile Web Service Settings in Moodle

The next step is to add the course. The subjects to be put

into a category, if not already there, then made first. If the
course has been made, then add the course material that
can be grouped based on the date of the meeting. In
addition to learning materials, the task file links can also
be added, as shown in Fig. 3.6 appear as in Figure 3.4

Figure 3. 3 Examples of Moodle Main Page

After LMS Server is installed and running properly, then

Moodle Mobile app on mobile device is installed. A
mobile device with Android platform 2.3 and above is
selected in this experiment. Moodle Mobile app can be
downloaded for further installed via Android's app
repository is Google Play Store (play.google.com). If you
have successfully installed and executed in a mobile
device will appear as in Figure 3.4
Figure. 3.6 Course material for each meeting
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