EVA: Virtual Learning Environments as a Service (VLEaaS) in Higher Education

In the past few years, education has undergone a major evolution with the introduction of digitalization. The emergence of asynchronous learning allows learners to engage with learning materials at their own rhythm (anytime and anywhere). In addition, personalized learning has been shown to improve learner engagement and achievement. It also helps educators and learners to have insights of the progress and difficulties encountered by each learner. However, the lack of a suitable feedback system limits its implementation. In order to complete this transition from face-to-face education to hybrid and remote learning, improve the face-to-face learner's experience, and have an adequate feedback system for personalized learning, Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) are needed. This paper presents a proposal of VLE as a Service (VLEaaS) as a cloud type of cloud computing as-a-service used to provide learners with an individual, course, workgroup, and on-demand factory workspaces. We detail the impact of these environments on learners and teachers in the context of higher education. We also implemented and experimented a set of VLEs for computer science learners. Finally, we discuss and analyse the results based on the data collected by learning traces sensors to monitor the learning progress and process of each learner. In addition, we gathered user feedback that shows an effectiveness of such approaches and a high level of satisfaction among learners and educators.