Cloud-based learning: A study on rapid learning content development with an Agile method M. C. Nguyen 1 , P.W.C. Prasad 1 , Abeer Alsadoon 1 , L. S. Hoe 2 , A. Elchouemi 3 1 School of Computing and Mathematics, Charles Sturt University, Sydney, Australia 2 Faculty of Information Science and Technology, Multimedia University, Malaysia 3 Hewlett Packard Enterprise Abstract—Cloud-based Learning has increased the quality of learning; it has also increased demand of quantity and quality of learning contents. The existing methods for developing learning content which are based on using Analysis – Design – Development – Implementation - Evaluation (ADDIE) process has been proven the effects of creating qualified learning, however, existing ADDIE process has shown the issues with slow reacting against fast changing and productivity of the development process. This paper aims to find out a new method that can be used to increase the productivity in developing learning contents. The key point of new learning contents is the interaction between learners with the learning contents which change the learning contents into a form of software. Thus, the proposed method will keep the advantages from the existing ADDIE process and improve it with Agile method which is well- known method used for managing software development. The results have revealed an agile environment to boost up the development process and help to create better learning contents. Keywords— Learning content development; Learning content development process; Agile method. I. INTRODUCTION In recent years, the rapid development of new Information and Communication Technology (ICT) such as Mobile technologies and Cloud Computing has led to the drastic increase in the demands of information from many sectors, especially in education. Blossoming in the innovation of mobile technologies, which have made mobile devices become a crucial part in life. This adoption in education has resulted in providing and creating more new opportunities for people to learn [1]. Using mobile devices such as smart phones, laptops or tablets, learners can learn from everywhere and whenever they want. Besides, the robust cloud computing has once again created a new horizon for learners. The learning contents can be accessed easily than ever. Moreover, exchanging information among learners as well as managing resources can be implemented at anytime and anywhere, regardless of the learners’ locations. With these advantages, it is clear that integrating cloud computing in education or cloud-based learning will be tendency in the near future. Many companies have provided dedicated platforms and tools such as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) or Platform-as-a- Service (PaaS) that support for the learning management system. Even companies have started to have dedicated professional groups to provide learning contents for their users. It is true that it is not difficult to find out some business companies or education organizations that support or use the cloud computing in education or training purposes. According to the statistics in 2012, it said that 29% and 32% are the cloud adoption rates of surveyed colleges for planning and discovery respectively [2]. Some examples for the pioneers who moved to the Cloud are Boston College, New York University and Maryland Institute College of Art [2]. However, there seems to be no standardized method for rapid learning content development that has been published for everybody to access. Hence, there is a need to create a method that helps to develop learning content effectively. The purpose of this research is to propose a method for developing learning content for Cloud-based learning. The paper is organized as follows: Section 2 discusses the literature review on content development methods used for Online Learning, E-learning and Mobile Learning, followed by a proposed model in section 3. The results and evaluations are given in sections 4 and 5 respectively. The paper discussion is given in section 6 with possible future work. II. LITERATURE REVIEW A. Introduction of Online Learning, E-Learning, Mobile Learning and Cloud-based Learning Online learning, in some aspects, can be understood as ‘e- learning’ in which learning can be accessed synchronously at the same time as others or asynchronously via electronic means. As the starting point, online learning is used for self- pace learning purposes and it is not included with any interaction between learners or between learner and trainer which is the characteristic of the e-learning later on. Mobile learning (m-learning) is defined as “learning facilitated through mobile devices without the learner being obliged to stay at a fixed location” [3]. Basically, Cloud-based learning is online learning or learning that is available in cloud. In this type of learning, the resources are stored in the virtual environment and can be accessed from various forms of web-enabled devices [4]. B. Methods of creating learning contents ADDIE model is the most popular content development processes. There are five phases in ADDIE model including Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation and Evaluation [5]. The ADDIE model is shown in the figure 1. However, due to the differences between types of learning, there are adjusts made to adapt to their requirements. 978-1-4673-8633-3/16/$31.00 ©2016 IEEE 10-13 April 2016, Abu Dhabi, UAE 2016 IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON) Page 974