Abstract:

For researchers interested in virtual classrooms, blended learning, and educational technology, software systems with a modular plug-in architecture offer compelling advantages over less-flexible systems that lack an extensible architecture. This paper examines the plug-in architecture of the BigBlueButton open source virtual classroom platform from the perspective of an education researcher, and explores the capabilities relevant to education research. It begins by introducing the concepts of plug-ins and a plug-in architecture, and the impact of plug-in architectures in the software systems of other domains, including web browsers and learning management systems. Next, it introduces the plug-in architecture and the software development kit (SDK) of BigBlueButton, with the capability to develop and deploy custom extensions. Building on the previous two sections, it explores opportunities for prototyping new ideas in teaching and learning, integration with other software systems, measurement of learning activities and outcomes, production of new learning analytics, and experimental research designs in hybrid and virtual classrooms, and supports the discussion with examples. We argue that these capabilities are particularly relevant for research on artificial intelligence (AI) applications in education, on learner engagement, and on both the production and application of learning analytics. The existing literature on plug-in software architectures has tended to emphasize the benefits to users, developers, and maintainers of software systems. For virtual classroom systems connecting educators and learners, this paper contributes the perspective of an additional stakeholder – that of education researchers seeking to produce new knowledge about teaching, learning, and emerging technologies.

Keywords:

Virtual classrooms, hybrid classrooms, active learning, experiential learning, blended learning, constructivism, learning analytics, modularity, design, plug-in architecture, AI, BigBlueButton.