The recent advances in multimedia technology such as the high-speed communication networks, large-capacity storage devices, digitized media, and data compression technologies have drastically changed the way learners communicate with their instructors and with each other, especially in distance education. With the innovation of new network and Internet infrastructures and the development of mul...

Highly dynamic and heterogeneous distributed systems are challenging today’s middleware technologies. Existing middleware paradigms are unable to deliver on their most central promise, which is offering interoperability. In this paper, we argue for the need to dynamically synthesise distributed system infrastructures according to the current operating environment, thereby generating “Emergent M...

Resource allocation in computing clusters is traditionally centralized, which limits the cluster scale. Effective resource allocation in a network of computing clusters may enable building larger computing infrastructures. We consider this problem as a novel application for multiagent learning (MAL). We propose a MAL algorithm and apply it for optimizing online resource allocation in cluster ne...

Many important advances in science and engineering are due to large-scale distributed computing. Notwithstanding this reliance, we are still learning how to design and deploy large-scale production Distributed Computing Infrastructures (DCI). This is evidenced by missing design principles for DCI, and an absence of generally acceptable and usable distributed computing abstractions. These gaps u...

Constructivist learning environments have been enhanced with emerging digital infrastructures, particularly those based on Internet and Web 2.0 technologies. In this chapter, the impact of these technologies on a constructivist-rooted pedagogy known as discovery learning is discussed in detail. Specifically, the use of knowledge spaces for online discovery learning is explored within the contex...

The requirements on infrastructures for digital learning are changing as learners become more and more mobile. Ad hoc interactions, dynamically changing learning teams and communication and collaboration centered learning have to be considered. In contrast to traditional digital learning environments focused on simulation, content representation and distance learning support, we focuse on colla...

Conventional thinking in emergency and crisis management focuses on the application of codified procedures to unforeseen contingencies. Modern society’s increased dependence on critical infrastructures and the emerging vulnerabilities of these large-scale networks create challenges that are hard to meet with conventional tools of crisis management. This article discusses the inherent vulnerabil...

Cloud computing based e-Learning provides continuous (any time, anywhere and any device learning) and collaborative learning. Cloud computing in an academic environment such as university will be benefitted by every students, faculties, administrators and research scholars. Most of the universities infrastructures are underutilized and in some cases over utilization of resources occurs in order...