U-Lab Cloud: simulação computacional de aprendizagem na nuvem

Abstract

The emergence and the evolution of new technologies led to an exponential growth of Computer Networks in both size and complexity of infrastructure. Thus, it increased the demand for trained professionals able to plan and develop technical activities in Computer Networking area. To assist in the teaching and learning of this area, it is necessary to provide educational environment that allows experimentation of practical activities. In this scenario, there are the immersive virtual environments or also called virtual worlds that allow simulation experiments and collaborative activities. However, it is not enough to provide such environments without worrying about the individual characteristics of students, because there are many aspects that must be introduced into the projection of U-Learning environments and the context information. Cloud Computing solutions can be used to support learning in U-learning environments and they are an attractive alternative to maximize /flexible computing resources. Thus, this work aims at present the U-Lab Cloud, a ubiquitous virtual laboratory, which was associated with cloud computing technology and the U-learning features. To achieve the objectives of this paper it was used an exploratory research with simulated case study in order to verify the operating of the environment. For the development of this proposed approach, it was necessary to deploy and test two platforms of Cloud Computing, OpenNebula and Eucalyptus in order to find what best fits the context of this work. And, also, it was integrated to this research the U-SEA modules and the SEDECA (System for Diagnosing Learning Styles)in order to meet the characteristics of ubiquity. In the same form, to propitiate this evaluation, it was performed the integration of MADEA tool which uses computer simulation techniques. Finally, it was performed a simulated case study, where it was observed the evolution of the fictitious students´ learning styles in a learning process. With the obtained results, it was demonstrated that the feasibility of the adoption of cloud computing technology in educational settings.