E-Learning-Based Cloud Computing Environment: A Systematic Review, Challenges, and Opportunities

Abstract

New technologies drive educational shifts, transforming offline to online learning. This study investigates e-learning and cloud computing integration to understand synergies and their potential impact. The study addresses two primary research questions: the influence of elearning on factors like architecture, software, performance, security, hardware, network, and virtual aspects, and the examination of cloud computing services and models such as SaaS, PaaS, IaaS, and S.O.A. The research aims to provide insights into how e-learning is incorporated in a cloud computing environment. The motivation behind this study is to investigate the intricate relationship between e-learning and cloud computing. By analyzing 154 scientific papers, the study delves into the specifics of this integration, highlighting trends and areas that have received more attention. The study examines e-learning in a cloud computing environment, focusing on architecture (27%), general topics (21%), software (19%), and performance (18%). Virtual environments have fewer security issues, while storage and network focus are more prevalent. Cloud computing services are mainly all services, with software as a service (18%), infrastructure as a service (17%), and platforms as a service (10%). Most studies are based on public clouds (74%), all other models (11%), and hybrid clouds (3%). The study examines elearning integration in cloud computing, highlighting limitations in hybrid and private clouds, specialized infrastructure, and a gap in platforms and infrastructure offerings.