Title: E-LANE: an e-learning initiative based on open source as a basis for sustainability

Authors: Carlos Delgado Kloos, Abelardo Pardo, Mario Munoz Organero, Luis De La Fuente Valentin

Addresses: Dep. Ingenieria Telematica, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Av. Universidad, 30, E-28911 Leganes (Madrid), Spain. ' Dep. Ingenieria Telematica, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Av. Universidad, 30, E-28911 Leganes (Madrid), Spain. ' Dep. Ingenieria Telematica, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Av. Universidad, 30, E-28911 Leganes (Madrid), Spain. ' Dep. Ingenieria Telematica, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Av. Universidad, 30, E-28911 Leganes (Madrid), Spain

Abstract: Education is fundamental for personal development and therefore for the development of societies and nations. E-learning is a means of taking education even further reducing the space-temporal barriers in its access. In this process costs should be kept to a minimum. The open-source model is key to keeping costs down. This paper presents the results achieved obtained using open-source e-learning applications inside the E-LANE project. In addition of using an open-source Learning Management System and enhancing it by supporting open standards, a content production methodology has been developed. The resulting system has been deployed in real experiences throughout Latin America.

Keywords: e-learning; open source software; learning management systems; LMSs; LRN; sustainability; open standards; sustainable development; online learning; education; content production.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCEELL.2007.013230

International Journal of Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning, 2007 Vol.17 No.1, pp.57 - 66

Published online: 12 Apr 2007 *

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