TIN CAN Client Elgg PlugIn: A Proposed Solution to Integrate Social Media with ELearning Technology Amine V. Bitar 1 , Antoine M. Melki 1 , Michel G. Chammas 2 1 Department of Computer Science, University of Balamand amine.bitar@balamand.edu.lb, amelki@balamand.edu.lb 2 IOHANES, University of Balamand michel.chammas@balamand.edu.lb Abstract: Recently, open source social networking sites have been widely used by institutions as an interactive mean to build community skills, provide teachers and students with online interactive learning opportunities, and improve students’ academic performance. In Lebanon, some institutions have adopted learning management systems (like Moodle, Elgg…) as a cooperative learning platform in education. Moodle is limited to some basic features (user collaboration, group discussions, file sharing…). In contrast, Elgg does not provide full course management since it is not Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) compliant. Elgg could be integrated with next generation SCROM to form a complete management system. This paper proposes a solution to develop a TIN CAN Client Elgg Plug-In to integrate Elgg and Tin Can API which communicate through a Learning Record Store (LRS). Index Terms – Open Source, social network, Tin Can API, next generation SCORM, Elgg. I. INTRODUCTION Social networking sites have changed the HumantoHuman communication environment in the last few years. Institutions have adopted open source social networking sites which present a lot of features, improve students’ academic performance and enhance learning capabilities. In Lebanon, some institutions have adopted learning management systems (like Moodle, Elgg…) in education. Moodle offers basic limited features (like user collaboration, file sharing …). Elgg offers a lot of features. Alternatively, Elgg does not comply with Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM). In contrast, SCORM has some limitations as an online educational system. Tin Can API offers a lot of elearning features. Elgg could be integrated with Tin Can API to form a complete learning management system. The aim of this paper is to propose a solution to integrate Tin Can with Elgg through Tin Can Client Elgg API. II. OPEN SOURCE LEARNING PLATFORMS Institutions have adopted open source course management systems and social networking applications like social networking sites as an online educational medium. Such adoption has a lot of advantages which enhances both the educational process and the learning opportunities. Moodle, an open source course management system (CMS), has been widely used by many institutions as a social cooperative online platform. Moodle is SCORM compliant but limited to some basic features like: user collaboration, group discussions, and file sharing…. Elgg, a fullyfeatured social networking engine, provides lot of social features for educational institutions. Additionally, it offers a wide range of features which provide institutions with an interactive environment in an online learning community. On the contrary, Elgg lacks some course management system features and is not SCORM compliant. It could be integrated with other Learning Management Systems. III. NEXT GENERATION SCORM