Kritika Verma et al.

, International journal of Science and Advanced Information Technology , 1(3), July August, 93-97

ISSN No. 2278-3083

Volume 1, No.3, July August 2012 International Journal of Science and Applied Information Technology Available Online at http://warse.org/pdfs/ijsait06132012.pdf

Mobile Cloud A New Vehicle For Learning: m-Learning Its Issues And Challenges
Kritika Verma1, Sonal Dubey2, Dr.M.A.Rizvi3 M. Tech CTA Student NITTTR, Bhopal, India, vermakritika011@gmail.com 2 M. Tech CTA Student NITTTR, Bhopal, India, ersonaldubey@gmail.com 3 Associate Professor NITTTR, Bhopal India, marizvi@nitttrbpl.ac.in community. These days, there are two emerging paradigms in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). The first one is the anytime, anywhere, on-the-move paradigm, to be called the mobility paradigm, and the second one is the cloud computing paradigm. Both paradigms are radically transforming the way we communicate, access and utilize information resources, and connect with peers and colleagues, thus affecting all aspects of our lives including shopping, banking, health care, education etc. Compared to the traditional server-based model, in cloud computing the resources and services are acquired from a pool termed cloud. The cloud represents and hides the actual servers. The resources and services in a cloud are often associated with high computing power, scalable computing, and large volumes of storage capacity. From a simple perspective, mobile cloud computing can be thought of as infrastructure where data and processing could happen outside of the mobile device, enabling new types of applications such as context-aware mobile social networks. As a result, many mobile cloud applications are not restricted to powerful smart phones, but to a broad range of less advanced mobile phones and therefore, to a much larger subscriber segment. Cloud computing allows consumers and businesses to use applications without installation and access their personal files at any computer with internet access. This technology allows for much more efficient computing by centralizing storage, memory, processing and bandwidth as shown in Figure 1.It is a style of computing in which dynamically scalable and often virtualized resources are provided as a service over the Internet [1].

ABSTRACT Today we are witnessing the emergence of a connected, mobile society, with a variety of information sources and means of communication available at home, office, organizations and in the community at large. To be always connected there are many ways like mobile, tablet etc. Although cloud computing has established itself as a novel paradigm, mobile devices have unique characteristics and capabilities that are not inherently made part of a cloud and this new ad-hoc infrastructure is based on mobile devices. Despite its hype, cloud computing, with its dynamic scalability and virtualized resources usage, is being widely deployed for several applications in many organizations. It is envisioned that, in the near future, cloud computing will have a significant impact in the teaching learning environment also, enabling its own users to perform their tasks effectively with less cost. Firstly this paper deals with notion of a mobile device cloud: mobile devices become active members in the cloud, sharing content, resources, and services with each other. Secondly exploiting mobile technologies for educational purposes has promises of realizing ubiquitous, unobtrusive, personal and situated learning. But mobile learning is non-trivial due to the challenges in the process of designing, communicating and presenting traditional e-learning resources to mobile learners. Key words : Mobile Cloud, mlearning, Interoperability, m-Cloud Models, Cloud Services 1. INTRODUCTION Mobile cloud computing is emerging as one of the most important branches of cloud computing, and is still in its infancy. Therefore its highly popular among the researcher to explore into this area and its advantages to the ICT

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Kritika Verma et al., International journal of Science and Advanced Information Technology , 1(3), July August, 93-97

The primary differences between m-Learning and e-Learning fall into four main categories: timing, information access, context and assessment. It is now possible to deliver course content across many platforms using the mobile browser. This alternative method has the potential to be more effective and gain wider acceptance by users over computer-based eLearning. This alternative method of delivery has the potential to optimize time management, make mandatory training more accessible, and can help improve readiness. Mobile content can provide the ability to access critical information and support materials regardless of location [4]. Types of Mobile Cloud Mobile Cloud can be classified into four types on the basis of location and host (Figure 2): 1. Public Cloud: Computing infrastructure is hosted at the vendors premises. 2. Private Cloud: Computing architecture is dedicated to the customer and is not shared with other organizations. 3. Hybrid Cloud: Organizations host some critical, secure applications in private clouds. 4. Community Cloud: The cloud infrastructure is shared between the organizations of the same community [5].

Figure 1: Working model of cloud computing

Recently the significant momentum and attention has being attracted by both cloud computing and m-Learning, but still they were both treated as separate entities, with little work has been accomplished in their synergy. The integration of the cloud computing and m-Learning was viewed in terms of accessibility and mobility features of cloud computing. This creates m-Learning based on cloud computing, to be called m-Learning. Mobile learning is on the intersection of mobile computing and e-computing, to be called m-Learning. Mobile learning is on the intersection of mobile computing and e-learning conveying e-learning through mobile devices using wireless connectivity; this intersection includes the use of desktops as well as laptops. m-Learning provides powerful features and functions such as mobility, reachability, localization, flexibility, and motivational effects due to self controlling and better use of spare time [2].. 2. WHY MOBILE CLOUD? In this era of mobile all the people want to connect with the Internet, because of the official and business information with help of the e-gadgets [3]. Mobile Cloud Computing will additionally help to make visions of context-aware services become reality. With the evolution of this technology shape of teaching learning also changes. With respect to technologies, mobile generally means portable and personal, like a mobile phone. Personal digital assistants and mobile phones are the most commonly used technologies for mobile learning, but they exist within the larger space of possible mobile technologies that can be broadly categorized on the two dimensions of personal vs. shared and portable vs. static.
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Figure 2: Types of Mobile Cloud

3. SPECIAL FEATURES OF MOBILE CLOUD COMPUTING Enhanced features and functionality of mobile phones through new cloud applications. Ease of access and development since the access point to mobile cloud computing is through a browser and not a mobile operating system.

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Sharing information and applications without the need of complex and costly hardware and software as the business computations are run in the cloud. Cheaper for cloud computing vendors to build mobile cloud applications because of economies of scale, i.e access to all smart phone devices, one application can be shared and accessed by many smart phone users. Broader reach, since mobile cloud applications can be reached by all mobile users not only smart phone users, as long as the mobile has access to the internet [6]. 4. CLOUD COMPUTING FUNDAMENTAL MODELS 1. (SaaS): Software as a Service is a software distribution model in which applications are hosted by a vendor or service provider and made available to customers over a network, typically the Internet. 2. (PaaS): Platform as a Service is a paradigm for delivering operating systems and associated services over the Internet without downloads or installation. 3. (IaaS): Infrastructure as a Service involves outsourcing the equipment used to support operations, including storage, hardware, servers and networking components [7].

assumption that the liable party controls the infrastructure data is stored on as well as the placement decision about where that storage is located. Practically none of the laws and regulations recognizes that a service provider may hold the data on behalf of the liable organization. Therefore, most compliance situations assign all of the responsibility to the user of a mobile cloud environment despite the manifest fact that much of the control of the data is out of the hands of the user [8]. 5.3 Legal There are some important legal issues that must be taken care of in mobile cloud like the physical location of user data, Intellectual Property Rights, responsibility of user data etc. 5.4 Open Standards Some vendors have adopted others' APIs and there are a number of open standards under development, with a view to delivering interoperability and portability. Such as for cross-platform an application is an embedded hypervisor, which allows a web application to run on any smart phone without being aware of the underlying architecture. 5.5 Data Integrity When a data is on a cloud anyone from any location can access those datas from the cloud. Cloud does not differentiate between a sensitive data from a common data thus enabling anyone to access those sensitive datas. Thus there is a lack of data integrity in mobile cloud. 5.6 Security There are three main security threats -- malware, privacy and authenticating access. Organizations are going to have to look at putting in host-based security just as we do for PCs. 5.7 Mobile Cloud Needs Interoperability Interoperability of mobile applications is an issue yet to be overcome. Mobile cloud services are largely dominated by vendor specific walled gardens. When an application is designed to communicate with the cloud it needs to be supported on diverse devices. This saves the development costs. 6. CHALLENGES IN MOBILE CLOUD

Figure 3: Service Models of Cloud Computing

Figure 3 shows the service models of Cloud computing. 5. ISSUES AND CHALLENGES IN MOBILE CLOUD

5.1 Privacy Mobile cloud poses privacy concerns because the service provider at any point in time, may access the data that is on the cloud. They could accidentally or deliberately alter or even delete some information. 5.2 Compliance Most data compliance laws and regulation are written with an
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For mobile cloud computing to reach its full potential, the following three critical challenges need to be addressed. 1. Lowering network latency: The term latency refers to any of several kinds of delays typically incurred in processing of network data.
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2.

3.

Improving network bandwidth for faster data transfer between the cloud and devices: Bandwidth is often used as a synonym for data transfer rate - the amount of data that can be carried from one point to another in a given time period. Providing adaptive monitoring of network conditions: to optimize network and device costs against the users perceived performance of cloud application.

7.

PROPOSED SOLUTIONS FOR CHALLENGES IN MOBILE CLOUD

THE

7.1 Overcoming Latency Limitations Latency increases with distance, and the number of network nodes that the data needs to pass. As a result, moving applications as close to the user as possible decreases latency effects. This will help in m-Learning environment. 7.2 Improving Bandwidth Utilization The obstacles facing mobile cloud computing include limitation of wireless bandwidth capacity and fluctuations in network service delivery. Mobile technology assumes a shared bandwidth capacity, so that users within any particular mobile cell share the available bandwidth while accessing the data network, e.g. the Internet. To overcome this intrinsic limitation, and to address the increasing bandwidth demand, wireless networks are continuously being upgraded with the IP-based 4G wireless broadband network technology as the ultimate long term goal. National Knowledge Network are also very effective in improving bandwidth utilization. This type of Network will not only increase the bandwidth but certainly will help in implantation of m-Learning. 7.3 Dynamic Network Monitoring Several new technologies promise a more intelligent deployment of network resources and may minimize latency. For example, HTML5 offers data caching, allowing users to experience fewer problems due to intermittent network performance or network congestion. HTML5 is an important step for mobile web applications. HTML5 also allows specification of offline support, which makes local storage possible, helping with connectivity interruptions. It also adds canvas and video features, enabling graphics and video without plug-ins. In addition, HTML5 often comes with a geolocation API. This newly added feature will help in m-Learning content designing and deployment [9]. 8. BENEFITS OF MOBILE CLOUD In this section, we summarize some of the benefits of Mobile
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Cloud. Mobile Cloud helps to overcome limitations of mobile devices in particular of the processing power and data storage. It also might help to extend the battery life by moving the execution of commutation-intensive application to the cloud. Mobile Cloud is also seen as a potential solution for the fragmented market of mobile operating systems with currently eight major operating systems. Mobile Cloud can increase security level for mobile devices achieved by a centralized monitoring and maintenance of software, It can also become a one-stop shopping option for users of mobile devices since Mobile Cloud Operators can simultaneously act as virtual network operators, provide e-payment services, and provide software, data storage, etc. as a service. A number of new technical functionalities might be provided by mobile clouds. In particular, provisioning of context- and location-awareness enables personalization of services is an attractive functionality. In Mobile-Learning the cloud plays a vital role because the data sharing is the very important role of this learning system, so cloud takes the responsibility of data sharing, security and also the load management during the peak hours of access without affecting the network band access. The cloud helps to increase the storage space [10]. 9. MOBILE CLOUD IN M-LEARNING SCENARIO

Mobile learning is learning on the move. The main objective of m-Learning is that the learners can get the knowledge from the centralized shared resources at any time and any where they like to read that too at free of cost. Mobile learning originally referred to the use of laptop, PDA etc., which freed learners from their desktops. However increasing penetration of mobile phones, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), and Smart phones has redefined and accelerated the growth of mobile learningor m-learning. There are three ways learning can be considered mobilein terms of space, in different areas of life, and with respect to time [11]. Mobile cloud is very useful and effective in m- learning as it increases the reliability, accessibility and rendering of data. National Knowledge Network plays an important role in m-learning by providing an efficient connectivity with improved bandwidth utilization having high speed and quick access and it also provides reliability of data and information. Generally speaking, m-Learning systems can be divided into three types: push-based, application-based, and browser-based m-Learning systems. The push-based systems use the mobile phone email or Short Message Service (SMS), whereas the browser-based systems require an Internet enabled mobile device, using HTML or
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Wireless Application Protocol (WAP). On the other hand, the application-based systems require the application to be downloaded into the learner's handheld device. These systems have been used, either as a single system or as a combination of two or more of them, in some k-12 schools and universities or in career development area, for class learning as well as in outdoor learning. 10. CHARACTERISTICS OF M-LEARNING Learning is dynamic activity that can be closely linked to mobility with respect to space, time, and topic areas [12], making a perfect match with mLearning learning occurs at different places (e.g., learning institutes, workplaces, homes, and even places of leisure), at different times (e.g., working days, weekends, or holidays), and between different topic areas of life (e.g., education, work, self-improvement, or leisure). The diversity of space for adults daily self-learning was studied in [13], reflecting opportunities for learning during the time that learners spend on the move. 11. ADVANTAGES OF MOBILE CLOUD M-LEARNING USING

12.2 Instant Software Updates When the app is web-based, updates happen automatically and are available the next time you log on to the cloud. When you access a web-based application, you get the latest version without needing to pay for or download an upgrade with your mobile device. 12.3 Improved Document Format Compatibility In mobile cloud, we have more compatibility for opening the files, applications easily with installation of several softwares on mobile device. 12.4 Device Independence You're no longer tethered to a single mobile device or network. Change mobile devices, and your existing applications and documents follow you through the cloud. 12.5 Lower Costs One does not require a high-powered and high-priced computer to run mobile cloud computing web-based applications, since applications run in the cloud, not on the desktop PC. When you're using web-based applications on mobiles need not required any memory space and as no software programs have to be loaded and no document files need to be saved [11]. 13. CONCLUSION The cloud computing has a significant scope to improve the scenario of various mobile cloud applications like from platform dependency we can switch over to platform independence. The use of cloud computing, with its dynamic scalability and virtualized resources usage, can empower m-Learning by eliminating some of weaknesses of the mobile handheld devices. The architecture of m-cloud reflects its flexibility and diversity, in which new features and services can be added to enhance m-learning. For improving such applications we need to work further on improving the bandwidth, latency limitations and implementing more effective dynamic network monitoring. For implementing open standards in mobile cloud there is a requirement of interoperable services. m-cloud will surely improve the current system of education and improve quality at an affordable cost. REFERENCES

One can access lessons, video clips and audio libraries from anywhere, including public places and moving buses and trains. Interaction with fellow students and instructors will be a great help. This helps several students to work together on assignments even while remaining at far-flung locations. Portability is a very big plus, as a PDA is compact and very lightweight, and enables a student to take notes or enter all types of data directly into the device. There is a psychological factor; owning handheld devices increases student motivation and deepens the commitment to using and learning with them. Flexible hours of learning are indeed a great boon as students can access the system anytime 24-7 and from any location. Each student can learn at his or her own pace - some student may be slower learners. Yet another blessing is a huge saving in the cost of learning materials and also commuting expenses [14]. 12. BENEFITS OF MOBILE CLOUD IN M-LEARNING Following are the important benefits while mobile cloud in m-learning. 12.1 Improved Performance With fewer overfed programs hogging your mobile memory, we will see better performance from your mobile device, because they have fewer programs and processes loaded into mobile memory.
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using

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