The eClass eLearning Platform (eClass) is the main educational tool of the Open University of Cyprus (OUC), used for facilitating online teaching and learning. Selecting and deploying the best alternative among different candidate services is a major challenge that requires in depth knowledge of the educational process, educators and students needs and all the available solutions. The outcome of this procedure is the introduction of a service that is integrated into eClass. The scope of this paper is to describe and elaborate on the procedure used for the selection and deployment of new services in eClass. Authors provide a description of eClass followed by an analysis of the procedure used to introduce a new service. Next, we report on the deployment phases and challenges faced during each step. Specific project implementations are presented for demonstrating the eClass components. We conclude by presenting the results of a user satisfaction survey of the deployed services.

1. DEPLOYING NEW SERVICES IN THE
OPEN UNIVERSITY OF CYPRUS
ELEARNING PLATFORM – OUR
EXPERIENCES
P. Christoforou, C. Rodosthenous, M. Epiphaniou, S. Mavrotheris,
C. Christodoulides
Open University of Cyprus

2. The OUC at a glance
5000 students
• Europe/Africa
• Study from distance
• Average age 35+
340 faculty members
• Work from their premises
• 18 Resident
24 programmes of study
• Undergraduate,
postgraduate, PhD
• Greek and English language

3. Educational Model
Study
• Distance learning methodology
• Face-to-face meetings OR Virtual meetings
Exams and Assessment
• Mandatory assignments
• Physical presence at exams
Educational Material
• Textbooks, articles, videos, etc.

4. eClass eLearning Platform
Asynchronous
Learning
Synchronous
Learning
Assignment
submission
&
Plagiarism
detection
Video
Streaming

5. Introducing a new service
• 4 Phases
Initiation
Requirements
Analysis
Service
deployment
& integration
Evaluation

6. Initiation
Stakeholders
• Best practices
• Trends
• OUC Strategic plan
• Educational Model
Feasibility
Study
• Human Resource
• Economic Resource
• Technology
• Educational
Methodology
Relevance
• Integration eClass
Decision
Making
• Service Initiation
Report

7. Requirements Analysis
Project Team
• Prepare detailed
specifications
• investigate possible
solutions and products
• Deploy the new
service
Market research
• Technologies
• Cost
• Methods of
Integration with
eClass
• Company background
• Supported languages
(Greek)
• RFI
Requirement
Analysis Document
• Integration with
eClass
• Documentation
• Training
• Supporting material

8. Deployment and integration
In-house
• Open Source
Software
Outsource
• Public tender
Mixed
• Better option
in-house
• Lack of
resources
Deployment of a solution integrated with eClass

9. Evaluation
Usage
User
satisfaction
Usability
Pedagogy
model

10. User satisfaction survey
Method: Questionnaire
Service: Synchronous Learning
Questions
core requirements
sound quality,
graphics and presentation,
ability of the service to be used as a supplement of the
face-to-face meetings,
ease of usage
Number of participants: 66 users
Faculty members from all programmes of study
Users of the service

11. User satisfaction survey
Service meets
expectations
Users had
difficulties
setting up
their
computer

12. Future Projects
Introducing new services
Lecture capture
Enterprise Content Management
Mobile Learning and Collaboration
Virtual Labs

13. More information….
• Christos T. Rodosthenous
• Email: christos.rodosthenous@ouc.ac.cy
• WWW: http://www.ouc.ac.cy