Bi-directional distribution of elearning content for cross-technology learning communities

Abstract

This article describes the use of a service-oriented architecture to bridge the gap between different eLearning types and tools. The basic concept is a bi-directional distribution of web services provided by different eLearning environments. This is exemplarily verified by a combination of lectures that are held in a modern media supported lecture room with tools of the computer-aided face-to-face learning paradigm and within a virtual learning environment (Second Life). The new service-based approach allows a flexible and systematic coupling of virtual and face-to-face teaching and learning to a cross-technology learning community.