e Fundi Offline client Integrated with Google

e. Fundi: Offline client – Integrated with Google applications Francois Campbell Ciellie Jansen van Vuuren

Agenda • Introduction Google integration • Resources • Schedule • Notifications

Introduction 2004 : The first offline client was implemented, based on the homegrown LMS called Varsitè

Main functionalities • Sync uploaded assignments to the LMS automatically when the user is online • Sync saved discussions • Sync announcements from LMS to the offline client • Export a test offline and sync test answers to the LMS when online Lessons learned • Syncing of large data was not reliable, especially if the data connection was unstable • Tests must be completed and submitted online.

2007 : NWU implemented e. Fundi (our Sakai instance). The demand for an offline client was still a reality and in 2009. Solo an offline client for Sakai was developed in collaboration with UNISA. Google Gears was used as the sync engine between Sakai and Solo

2011 : Google Gears was discontinued.

The need Then and Why are we still on this topic ? “According to Mr Kobus le Roux, e. Fundi Systems Manager, the need for such a product was identified as a result of high internet costs and the low bandwidth internet infrastructure in South Africa. The learning experience of especially offcampus students can be compromised, as many of them only have dial-up connections to the internet. ” (2009) The situation in 2017 “For many years South Africa’s broadband market was held back by an expensive operating environment created by Telkom’s dominance in the fixed-line market and in access to international bandwidth. This has begun to change, supported by the licensing of Neotel as a second fixed-line operator, as also by the involvement of mobile network operators such as Vodacom and Cell C in the fibre market. The landing of international cables since 2009 has brought down the cost of international bandwidth dramatically, and so led to lower end-user pricing. ” [https: //www. budde. com. au/Research/South-Africa-Fixed-Broadband-Market-Statistics-and-Analyses]

Internet users in South Africa since 2000 YEAR Users Population %Pen. Usage Source 2000 2, 401, 335 43, 690, 000 % 5. 5 ITU 2001 2, 892, 736 45, 579, 161 % 6. 3 IWS 2002 3, 105, 015 46, 272, 223 % 6. 7 ITU 2003 3, 291, 600 46, 971, 250 % 7. 0 Wide World Worx 2004 4, 016, 014 47, 667, 150 % 8. 4 Wide World Worx 2005 3, 620, 931 48, 352, 951 % 7. 5 Wide World Worx 2008 4, 590, 000 50, 348, 811 % 9. 1 W. W. W 2011 17, 745, 001 52, 237, 272 % 34. 0 IWS 2013 24, 838, 723 52, 981, 991 % 46. 9 IWS 2014 26, 444, 836 54, 001, 953 % 49. 0 IWS 2015 27, 501, 308 54, 777, 809 % 50. 2 IWS 2016 28, 580, 290 54, 978, 907 % 52. 0 IWS About 97% of all internet connections are through mobile networks

Internet usage Server provider Top 5 Uncapped users: Data usage/M Afrihost 20. 3 Tb Axxess 14. 5 Tb Cyber. Mart 4. 8 Tb Webafrica 5. 5 Tb NWU e. Fundi data growth from 2 February 2017 – 03 May 2017 = 1. 4 Tb Mobile data cost Server provider Data bundle Valid time period Cost MTN 1 Gb 30 days R 160 Vodacom 1 Gb 30 days R 149 Cell C 1 Gb 30 days R 149 Telkom 1 Gb 30 days R 99 Out of bundle rate : average of R 1/Mb

• Users use more data than ever before, streaming and quicker file downloads are a reality. • Education without the use of multimedia is almost unthinkable, and multimedia, animations, simulations, videos and graphics become more feature rich, that conclude in larger file sizes. • With the faster internet infrastructure the internet became the delivery method for learning content. The fact is that the data cost is lower and the bandwidth is better, but the need for more data makes it still very expensive and sometimes inaccessible.

Only a contribution

2015 : NWU implemented e. Fundi-MOVE Based on the synthesis sync engine Announcements Resources Schedule On Android, Apple Windows Desktop, Mac

• With Sakai 11 a change from SOAP to REST services is necessary • Syncing to devices are slow especially announcements • Local storage capacity is a problem, e. Fundi’s file system is now duplicated, for at least a year.

Agenda • Introduction Google integration • Resources • Schedule • Notifications

Resources The folder structure and content will be available in the desktop and mobile apps as well

Schedule All your sites calendar tool events rolled up in one Google calendar

Notifications Desktop view: any e-mail application that integrates with Google Mail [Toolname] Native mobile email app [Toolname] Message

Technical detail

Technical detail

Thank you