Learning Gateway
Encyclopedia
Microsoft
Learning Gateway (MLG) is a Web-based collaboration, communications, and content delivery framework that serves the education industry. The MLG helps in creating integrated e-learning solutions for primary and secondary schools and higher education institutions.
Developed to deliver education-specific functionalities, an MLG-based e-learning solution means that every associated teacher, student, and family can be connected from their home or school to the Internet through a proxy
or firewall
server, or through a hosted service. With Microsoft Exchange Server
, each user can have a secure e-mail address. Using a Web-based service enables students to participate in lessons and complete assignments online through the portal, both from home and at school.
MLG versions are 2003, 2005, and 2007.
MLG 2007 is built on Microsoft Office SharePoint Server (MOSS) 2007 and integrates knowledge management, collaboration, and communications technologies from Microsoft. MLG also integrate with non-Microsoft tools and systems.
MLG uses Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services for the base portal layer. On top of this layer, a framework of educationally relevant Web parts from any vendor can be added to customize a solution. Microsoft has created a set of Web parts and customized technologies to deliver education functionality to MLG. This includes Web parts from Microsoft Class Server, Microsoft Exchange Server, Microsoft SQL Server
, Microsoft Office Live
Communications Server, and Microsoft Office
.
For user authentication, MLG uses Microsoft Active Directory service. Nevertheless local machine accounts can be used on MOSS. Anonymous access can be used for SharePoint and authenticated access to the hosted applications in the framework or a third-party LDAP solution can be used.
For the data security module, data is secured through Microsoft SQL Server and the Microsoft Windows Server 2003 operating system. Non-Microsoft applications may use different data security models.
Complete and customized deployments require the installation and implementation of the following environment of servers and technologies: Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Microsoft Meta Directory Services, Microsoft Office Communication Server 2005, Microsoft Class Server 4.0, Microsoft Information Server (IIS), Microsoft Office SharePoint Server (MOSS) 2007, Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services (WSS) 3.0, Microsoft SharePoint Learning Kit, Microsoft Exchange Server
2007, and Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) 2006.
Microsoft Education Partners worldwide provide MLG deployment and customization services. ITWorx
has contributed in the development of MLG Refresh 2007, and provides accelerated and automated deployment for MLG environment and education-specific customizations.
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
Learning Gateway (MLG) is a Web-based collaboration, communications, and content delivery framework that serves the education industry. The MLG helps in creating integrated e-learning solutions for primary and secondary schools and higher education institutions.
Developed to deliver education-specific functionalities, an MLG-based e-learning solution means that every associated teacher, student, and family can be connected from their home or school to the Internet through a proxy
Proxy server
In computer networks, a proxy server is a server that acts as an intermediary for requests from clients seeking resources from other servers. A client connects to the proxy server, requesting some service, such as a file, connection, web page, or other resource available from a different server...
or firewall
Firewall (computing)
A firewall is a device or set of devices designed to permit or deny network transmissions based upon a set of rules and is frequently used to protect networks from unauthorized access while permitting legitimate communications to pass....
server, or through a hosted service. With Microsoft Exchange Server
Microsoft Exchange Server
Microsoft Exchange Server is the server side of a client–server, collaborative application product developed by Microsoft. It is part of the Microsoft Servers line of server products and is used by enterprises using Microsoft infrastructure products...
, each user can have a secure e-mail address. Using a Web-based service enables students to participate in lessons and complete assignments online through the portal, both from home and at school.
MLG versions are 2003, 2005, and 2007.
MLG 2007 is built on Microsoft Office SharePoint Server (MOSS) 2007 and integrates knowledge management, collaboration, and communications technologies from Microsoft. MLG also integrate with non-Microsoft tools and systems.
MLG uses Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services for the base portal layer. On top of this layer, a framework of educationally relevant Web parts from any vendor can be added to customize a solution. Microsoft has created a set of Web parts and customized technologies to deliver education functionality to MLG. This includes Web parts from Microsoft Class Server, Microsoft Exchange Server, Microsoft SQL Server
Microsoft SQL Server
Microsoft SQL Server is a relational database server, developed by Microsoft: It is a software product whose primary function is to store and retrieve data as requested by other software applications, be it those on the same computer or those running on another computer across a network...
, Microsoft Office Live
Microsoft Office Live
Microsoft Office Live is a discontinued web-based service providing document sharing and website creation tools for consumers and small businesses...
Communications Server, and Microsoft Office
Microsoft Office
Microsoft Office is a non-free commercial office suite of inter-related desktop applications, servers and services for the Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X operating systems, introduced by Microsoft in August 1, 1989. Initially a marketing term for a bundled set of applications, the first version of...
.
For user authentication, MLG uses Microsoft Active Directory service. Nevertheless local machine accounts can be used on MOSS. Anonymous access can be used for SharePoint and authenticated access to the hosted applications in the framework or a third-party LDAP solution can be used.
For the data security module, data is secured through Microsoft SQL Server and the Microsoft Windows Server 2003 operating system. Non-Microsoft applications may use different data security models.
Deployment and customization
MLG deployment can deliver an online learning management system that enables teachers to create lesson plans, manage classes, and perform curriculum assessment electronically online and offline. http://whitepapers.techrepublic.com.com/abstract.aspx?docid=283057 However, only the Microsoft Windows operating system and Microsoft SharePoint are required; but using only these two products would result in a very basic framework.Complete and customized deployments require the installation and implementation of the following environment of servers and technologies: Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Microsoft Meta Directory Services, Microsoft Office Communication Server 2005, Microsoft Class Server 4.0, Microsoft Information Server (IIS), Microsoft Office SharePoint Server (MOSS) 2007, Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services (WSS) 3.0, Microsoft SharePoint Learning Kit, Microsoft Exchange Server
Microsoft Exchange Server
Microsoft Exchange Server is the server side of a client–server, collaborative application product developed by Microsoft. It is part of the Microsoft Servers line of server products and is used by enterprises using Microsoft infrastructure products...
2007, and Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) 2006.
Microsoft Education Partners worldwide provide MLG deployment and customization services. ITWorx
ITWorx
ITWorx is an IT professional software services firm in Egypt. Headquartered in Cairo, with development centers in Cairo and Alexandria, ITWorx has other offices in the Gulf region, namely the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, and is represented in Europe. Today, it has around 700 employees operating in...
has contributed in the development of MLG Refresh 2007, and provides accelerated and automated deployment for MLG environment and education-specific customizations.