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BackendLMS

Submitted By Agency Partner –  DATA C

AI-Powered LMS

Partnered with Solutions Castle "a local agent in KSA" to implement and customize Learnova with Directus and React for Arab Open University (AOU) in Saudi Arabia, ensuring a scalable, interactive, and effective e-learning experience.

Project Overview

Building a Learning Management System (LMS) for Arab Open University, KSA

Introduction

The Arab Open University (AOU) in Saudi Arabia sought to modernize its educational infrastructure by developing a custom Learning Management System (LMS). The goal was to create a scalable, user-friendly platform that could handle the university's growing student population and diverse academic needs. The LMS was built using Directus as the backend and React for the frontend, ensuring flexibility, scalability, and a seamless user experience. This case study outlines the challenges, solution, technology stack, and outcomes of the project.

Problem Statement

AOU faced several challenges with its existing educational tools:

  1. Outdated Systems: The university relied on legacy systems that were not scalable or user-friendly.

  2. Limited Customization: Existing LMS platforms lacked the flexibility to meet AOU's unique requirements.

  3. Poor User Experience: Students and faculty struggled with clunky interfaces and slow performance.

  4. Inefficient Content Management: Managing course materials, assessments, and student data was time-consuming and error-prone.

  5. Lack of Integration: Existing tools did not integrate well with other university systems, such as student information systems (SIS) and payment gateways.

To address these issues, AOU decided to build a custom LMS tailored to its specific needs.

Solution: Custom LMS Built on Directus and React

The new LMS was designed to provide a modern, intuitive, and scalable platform for students, faculty, and administrators. Key features of the system include:

1. User-Friendly Interface

  • Built with React, the frontend offers a responsive and intuitive interface that works seamlessly across devices (desktop, tablet, and mobile).

  • Features include a dashboard for students and faculty, course catalogs, and real-time notifications.

2. Flexible Backend with Directus

  • Directus was chosen as the backend for its flexibility and ease of use. It serves as a headless CMS, allowing AOU to manage course content, user data, and system configurations efficiently.

  • Directus also provides REST and GraphQL APIs, enabling seamless integration with other systems.

3. Course Management

  • Faculty can create and manage courses, upload materials (videos, PDFs, quizzes), and track student progress.

  • Students can access course content, submit assignments, and participate in discussions.

4. Assessment and Grading

  • The LMS includes tools for creating quizzes, exams, and assignments.

  • Automated grading and feedback features reduce the workload for faculty.

5. Integration with University Systems

  • The LMS integrates with AOU's existing student information system (SIS) for seamless data synchronization.

  • Payment gateway integration allows students to pay fees directly through the platform.

6. Analytics and Reporting

  • The platform provides detailed analytics for administrators, including student performance, course completion rates, and engagement metrics.

7. Multilingual Support

  • To cater to AOU's diverse student population, the LMS supports both Arabic and English.

Technology Stack

The LMS was built using a modern, scalable tech stack:

  • Frontend: React (for a dynamic and responsive user interface)

  • Backend: Directus (as a headless CMS and API layer)

  • Database: PostgreSQL (for secure and efficient data storage)

  • Authentication: JWT (JSON Web Tokens) for secure user authentication

  • Cloud Infrastructure: AWS (for scalability and reliability)

  • Payment Gateway: Integration with local and international payment providers

  • Multilingual Support: i18next (for Arabic and English language support)

Development Process

The development of the LMS followed an agile methodology, with a focus on collaboration and iterative improvements. Key phases included:

1. Requirement Gathering

  • Conducted workshops with AOU stakeholders to understand their needs and pain points.

  • Identified key features and prioritized them based on user feedback.

2. Prototyping

  • Developed a prototype to validate the concept and gather early feedback.

  • Focused on core features such as course management and user authentication.

3. Development

  • Built the frontend using React and the backend using Directus.

  • Integrated third-party tools for payment processing, analytics, and notifications.

4. Testing

  • Conducted extensive testing to ensure the platform was bug-free and met performance requirements.

  • Engaged students and faculty in user testing to refine the interface and functionality.

5. Launch

  • Rolled out the LMS to a pilot group of students and faculty.

  • Monitored system performance and gathered feedback for improvements.

6. Scaling

  • Expanded the platform to all AOU campuses in Saudi Arabia.

  • Added new features based on user feedback, such as mobile app support and advanced analytics.

Results and Impact

The new LMS has transformed the educational experience at AOU:

  • Improved User Experience: Students and faculty reported a 70% improvement in ease of use compared to the previous system.

  • Increased Engagement: Course completion rates increased by 25% due to the platform's intuitive design and interactive features.

  • Efficient Content Management: Faculty saved an average of 10 hours per week on course management tasks.

  • Scalability: The platform now supports over 20,000 active users and can scale to accommodate future growth.

  • Enhanced Analytics: Administrators gained valuable insights into student performance and engagement, enabling data-driven decision-making.

Future Roadmap

AOU plans to further enhance the LMS by:

  1. Adding Gamification: Introducing badges, leaderboards, and rewards to increase student motivation.

  2. Expanding Mobile Support: Developing a dedicated mobile app for iOS and Android.

  3. Integrating AI: Using AI-powered tools for personalized learning recommendations and automated tutoring.

  4. Enhancing Accessibility: Ensuring the platform is fully accessible to students with disabilities.

Conclusion

The custom LMS built for Arab Open University using Directus and React has successfully addressed the institution's challenges and delivered a modern, scalable, and user-friendly platform. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies and adopting an agile development approach, the project has set a new standard for educational tools in the region. The LMS not only meets AOU's current needs but also provides a foundation for future innovation and growth.