Title: Using trustworthy web services for secure e-assessment in collaborative learning grids

Authors: Santi Caballé; Jorge Miguel; Fatos Xhafa; Nicola Capuano; Jordi Conesa

Addresses: Faculty of Computer Science, Multimedia and Telecommunications, Open University of Catalonia, Rambla Poblenou, 156, 08018 Barcelona, Spain ' Faculty of Computer Science, Multimedia and Telecommunications, Open University of Catalonia, Rambla Poblenou, 156. 08018 Barcelona, Spain ' Faculty of Computer Science, Multimedia and Telecommunications, Open University of Catalonia, Rambla Poblenou, 156, 08018 Barcelona, Spain ' Dept. of Information Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Applied Mathematics, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano (SA), Italy ' Faculty of Computer Science, Multimedia and Telecommunications, Open University of Catalonia, Rambla Poblenou, 156, 08018 Barcelona, Spain

Abstract: The paper presents innovative trustworthy services to support secure e-assessment in web-based collaborative learning grids. Although e-Learning has been widely adopted, there exist still drawbacks which limit their potential. Among these limitations, we investigate information security requirements in on-line assessment learning activities, (e-assessment). In previous research, we proposed a trustworthiness model to support secure e-assessment requirements for e-Learning. In this paper, we present effective applications of our approach by integrating flexible and interoperable Web based secure e-learning services based on our trustworthiness model into e-assessment activities in on-line collaborative learning courses. Moreover, we leverage Grid technology to meet further demanding requirements of collaborative learning applications in terms of computation performance and management of large data sets, in order for the trustworthy collaborative learning services to be continuously adapted, adjusted, and personalised to each specific target learning group. Evaluation in a real context is provided while implications of this study are eventually remarked and discussed.

Keywords: information security; trustworthiness; e-assessment; prediction; online collaborative learning; CSCL; computer-supported collaborative learning; service-oriented architecture; SOA; trustworthy web services; grid computing; electronic assessment; online assessment; trust; e-learning; electronic learning; online learning.

DOI: 10.1504/IJWGS.2017.082059

International Journal of Web and Grid Services, 2017 Vol.13 No.1, pp.49 - 74

Received: 21 Jan 2016
Accepted: 24 Jun 2016
Published online: 06 Feb 2017 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article