Design and Evaluation of Novel Architecture for a Classroom Interaction Tool

Classroom interaction tools or student response systems are rapidly expanding, and advanced technologies like distributed processing, microservice architecture, container orchestration, and artificial intelligence (AI) have enabled these systems to scale significantly with a certain need to sustain high performance, extensibility, and data visualization. A combination of interactive technologies with effective pedagogical practices can create an active learning environment that promotes reflection, critical thinking, and higher-level learning processes. The research presented in this paper aimed at designing and evaluating a novel architecture for a classroom interaction tool that allows third parties to expand certain functionalities. The system provides an infrastructure with basic functionalities that can be leveraged by third-party developers who can focus on creative ways to process and visualize the responses from the audience/students. This study applied an iterative architecture design evaluated using the Architectural Tradeoff Analysis Method and semi-structured interviews. The architecture is illustrated using <tex xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">$4+1$</tex> views to transform the models and state the operational semantics. The design and implementation aimed at using best practices for microservices, container-orchestrated clusters, message queues, and sharded databases. The results of the trade-off analysis consist of detailed, measurable scenarios with risks, sensitivity, and tradeoff points. In addition, student interviews provided insight into their expectations of the architecture. A prototype has also been implemented as a proof of concept for quantitative evaluation (performance and reliability testing) against expected results. This study establishes a solid foundation for an evaluated architecture for developers and researchers looking to design similar tools, ensuring scalability and high performance.