Enhancing the management of unstructured data in e-learning systems using MongoDB

Abstract

Purpose

Current e-learning platforms are based on relational database management systems (RDBMS) and are well suited for handling structured data. However, it is expected from e-learning solutions to efficiently handle unstructured data as well. The purpose of this paper is to show an alternative to current solutions for unstructured data management.

Design/methodology/approach

Current repository-based solution for file management was compared to MongoDB architecture according to their functionalities and characteristics. This included several categories: data integrity, hardware acquisition, processing files, availability, handling concurrent users, partition tolerance, disaster recovery, backup policies and scalability.

Findings

This paper shows that it is possible to improve e-learning platform capabilities by implementing a hybrid database architecture that incorporates RDBMS for handling structured data and MongoDB database system for handling unstructured data.

Research limitations/implications

The study shows an acceptable adoption of MongoDB inside a service-oriented architecture (SOA) for enhancing e-learning solutions.

Practical implications

This research enables an efficient file handling not only for e-learning systems, but also for any system where file handling is needed.

Originality/value

It is expected that future single/joint e-learning initiatives will need to manage huge amount of files and they will require effective file handling solution. The new architecture solution for file handling is offered in this paper: it is different from current solutions because it is less expensive, more efficient, more flexible and requires less administrative and development effort for building and maintaining.

Citation

Stevic, M.P., Milosavljevic, B. and Perisic, B.R. (2015), "Enhancing the management of unstructured data in e-learning systems using MongoDB", Program: electronic library and information systems, Vol. 49 No. 1, pp. 91-114. https://doi.org/10.1108/PROG-11-2013-0063