VidyaOnline: Design and Development of a FOSS based Virtual Learning Environment on Library and Information Science at Vidyasagar University, West Bengal

Abstract

VidyaOnline, the prototype web-based modular and interactive learning system, is aimed to produce a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) for library and information science courses. In its final contour, VidyaOnline will be acted as a generic e learning platform for courses offered by the Directorate of Distance Education (DDE), Vidyasagar University. As we know, learning system that supports VLE features (as prescribed by INSPIRAL project), is not restricted to distance education alone, VidyaOnline will have all the facilities to support off-campus learning and evaluation activities related to traditional courses of Vidyasagar University. In short, VidyaOnline will be emerging as a web integrated hybrid e learning system for library and information science courses as well as for other distance and traditional courses of Vidyasagar University. The structure of VidyaOnline extends support for all three forms of VLE – web-based training, supported online learning and informal e learning. The software architecture of VidyaOnline is completely based on FOSS (Free and Open Source Software). It uses LAMP (Linux-Apache-MySQL-PHP) architecture, Moodle course management system and GD graphics library to design and develop an interactive web-integrated e learning platform to accommodate library and information science courses along with other distance education programmes of DDE, Vidyasagar University. VidyaOnline is completely compatible with Unicode and one courseware is available in Unicode-based Bengali language interface.