RE-DEFINING THE FUTURE OF E-LEARNING WITH
FREE AND OPEN SOURCE E-TOOLS FOR COLLABORATIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

Qais Ali Mohammed¹, Vikas Rao Naidu²*, Raza Hasan³,
Muhammad Mustafa4,  Karan Ajit Jesrani5
¹Mr., Middle East College, OMAN, 13f10559@mec.edu.om
²Mr., Middle East College, OMAN, vikas@mec.edu.om
³Mr., Middle East College, OMAN, raza@mec.edu.om
⁴Mr., Middle East College, OMAN, 11s7131@mec.edu.om
⁵Mr., Middle East College, OMAN, kjesrani@mec.edu.om
*Corresponding author

Abstract

The use of Open source tools has been increasing over the years in various fields including the teaching and learning field. It is a better way of utilizing tools with a lower cost than the market tools that are available as well as the same tool can be customized to fit an institute (or a specialization). By integrating the collaborative methods and techniques with the open source tools that were customized, the students and teachers would be able to achieve collaborative teaching and learning more effectively as well as the teacher would have a better way of delivering the learning outcomes by the help of the tools. Moreover, the tools would assist in clearing the distractions that the students may have during the class by giving them a tasks through tools and keep them engaged and away from what can distract the students during a lecture. Furthermore, open source tools can provide a rather fun and unique experience for the students to interact with each other as well as with the teacher to meet the objectives of the modules as well as build a sense of teamwork between the students which can help the student not only achieve the learning outcomes but also assist in their careers after they finish with their studies.

The open source tools will be divided into categories through which the teachers would be able to choose from depending on the learning outcomes of their lessons. A framework is suggested by the authors to use the open source tools in the most effective way.

Keywords: FOSS Tools in Education, Education Technology, E-learning, Collaborative Learning environment, Innovation in Teaching and Learning