Use of Cloud-based Learning Environment in Enhancing the Teaching and Learning Process for Software Engineering Courses

The effective use of cloud computing has been proved in various sectors including the education sector of our society. In education sector, learning environment plays a vital role in meeting the goals of a particular programme of study. Scope of the learning environment is very much dependent on the needs of a particular programme of study. This research is focused on the practical requirements of software engineering students as part of their learning environment. For most of the software engineering courses classrooms, laboratories and libraries are some of the key components of the learning environment and are absolutely crucial in the entire study period of software engineering students. Since the setup, configuration and use of the computing lab is very important for software engineering students, finding a way to provide the lab facilities available for the students at all times and at all places without any constraints would be a great idea. Cloud computing could be explored as an effective technological support in overcoming the limitations of the learning environment (e.g., lab facilities) for software engineering courses. Keeping in view the characteristics of cloud computing, it can be utilized to enhance the learning environment of software engineering students by hosting the tools of the laboratory courses on the cloud. As a result, the students will be able to use the needed tools anytime and anywhere without having any constraints. Moreover with the use of cloud, software engineering students would have a choice of using high capability software tools to practice, build, develop and deploy applications as part of their studies.