e-FacultyPortal: Agent-based Mobile Knowledge Portal for e-Learning in Collaborative Environment Hanim Risidi 1 , Zaihisma Che Cob 2 , Rusli Abdullah 1 , Noor Hapidah Muhayat 1 , Azizah Rahmat 1 , Nur Atiqah Muhammad 1 1 Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology, UPM, 2 Department of Information System, College of IT, UNITEN hanimr@putra.upm.edu.my , zaihisma@uniten.edu.my , rusli@fsktm.upm.edu.my , hapidah_01@yahoo.com , saari6466@yahoo.com, atiqahiqi@yahoo.com Abstract Nowadays, education has to be a process of sharing and acquirement of knowledge, experience and skills. E-learning gives the features for knowledge to be shared and spread widely. However, many of the e- learning system is information based system which functions as a channel to deliver course content and functions from various sources. This paper proposes the agent-based mobile knowledge portal, also called e-FacultyPortal which emphasize on the mobile knowledge management system as a learning platform for students. Intelligent agent enables the personalization of knowledge and keeping the user more alert on the latest knowledge and materials deposited in the system. Initial result from pre- development KMS survey shows the system is able to serve the communities of practices to be more productive in learning new knowledge. The development of this framework is expected to improve the flexibility of the e-learning conduct regardless the time, place and people. 1. Introduction Nowadays, education has to be a process of sharing and acquirement of knowledge, experience and skills. E-learning gives the features for knowledge to be shared and spread widely. Derek Stockley [1] defines e-learning as “the delivery of a learning, training or education program by electronic means. E-learning involves the use of a computer or electronic device (e.g. a mobile phone) in some way to provide training, educational or learning material”. E-learning system supports the learners and tutors regardless the constraints of time and space in order to use the learning materials and services. In [2], the advantages of using e-learning system for enterprises are cost efficiency, employee capability enhancement, digital content flexibility, timeliness and reliability and so on. However, many of the e-learning system is information based - as a channel to deliver course content and functions from various sources [12] rather than being knowledge based system. Integrating the e- learning system with knowledge management system (KMS) can improve the productivity of learners by provides a study workplaces and learners may benefits with this working environment that provides them everything they need to do their job. With development and delivery of learning resources through various kinds of mediums, it is an advantage for knowledge management system to accomplish requirement of individuals and organization in order to fulfill their knowledge acquisition and knowledge sharing. Thus, collaboration tools are compulsory for them to work together in order to utilize the knowledge and also to generate new knowledge. In this paper, we describe the agent-based mobile knowledge management system which also called e- FacultyPortal for the use of virtual class community of practices (CoP) to learn virtually in Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology (FSKTM), UPM. We improve the current Virtual Class by putting the functionality of software agent, knowledge management process and mobile technology. This research aims to develop a dynamic intelligent e-learning system for the collaborative Virtual Class environment to give flexibility of learning and knowledge sharing at anytime, anyplace and anywhere in convenience way. Proceedings of the 4 th International Conference on 17 th – 19 th November 2008 Information Technology and Multimedia at UNITEN (ICIMU’ 2008), Malaysia