Software architecture for integration of institutional and social learning environments

As technology continues to evolve and develop, requirements for effective teaching and learning methodologies are likewise growing and changing. As a result of this trend, Learning Management Systems (LMSs) are usually adopted in certain institutions and sometimes in order to take advantage of technological developments. However, these LMSs are adapted to a certain degree and may restrain users with its set of tools and functionalities. New requirements imply the need for integration with third-party systems and tools which are often used to increase the efficacy of learning. Properly implemented technology can serve as a tool to create new opportunities for learning systems. This work focuses on the design and technological requirements of the software architecture for integrating an institutional e-learning system, an educational management system, and a social learning environment. This work proposes a software architecture that supports functionalities promoting effective teaching and learning, while giving an overview of the diversity of technologies and tools used in the proposed architecture.