IMPLEMENTATION OF AN E-LEARNING PLATFORM USING CMS TECHNOLOGIES AND MODERN E-LEARNING METHODS

This paper describes an e-learning platform named Online Maritime Training (OMT), based on Content Management System (CMS), in order to meet the need of continuing education of sailors.

First of all, e-learning is a new way of education without the direct contact of teacher-student. It is based on the new possibilities that rapid growth of technology offers. The distance learning is being held via the Internet and fills the need for a continuous and timely education of people. E-learning combines the latest technological advancements and flexible courses, in order to help, educate and fulfill the individual needs of each student. Many business sectors and areas of activity, such as students, workers, people in remote areas, can be benefited from this modern service advantages. In a professional field, e-learning and distance learning are becoming more and more useful and necessary. In the shipping and seafarers sector, the need of continuous training is very apparent. More specifically, sailors need to continuously update their skills during their professional career, which includes specialized training for specific types of ships, as well as updating to new material and laws.

Our primary aim is to design and create a fully operational e-learning platform, that supports both synchronous and asynchronous ways of learning. Also enabling scalability, allowing for easy future upgrades of the existing functionalities and providing support to both students and teachers. Our goal is to attract the world wide maritime community and companies by implementing new innovative features to our platform.
Our project (OMT) also includes MySQL for database hosting and several plugins that enhance the functionality (in terms of performance and GUI) and security of the platform.

WordPress is a free and open source blogging tool and a content management system (CMS) based on PHP and MySQL, which runs on a web hosting service. Features include a plug-in architecture and a template system. OMT is a combination of synchronous and asynchronous e-learning platform. The asynchronous part is based on WordPress platform. The synchronous part takes place on the online platform which is being held with live video on real time. OMT contains a list of all available courses in full detail. The students can choose the courses of their interest. Upon course completion - either synchronous or asynchronous - they will be prompted to take an evaluation test. Then, if they succeeded on the evaluation test they will get the certificate of the course. Moreover, the students have also the possibility to contact the teachers before or after picking a course, in order to get more details about the course. Finally, there is a module that allows live video on real time with voice and chat between the students and teachers. This module is an open source web conferencing system.