Revamping Technical Learning Environment with Generative AI

Transforming eLearning with Cutting-Edge Big Data Tools
Category: Digital Transformation in eLearning

A highly successful eLearning content creator, renowned for their data and analytics courses, faced significant challenges with their existing Hadoop sandbox environment. With over 1 million students, the need for a robust and up-to-date learning platform was crucial. Shrewd Data stepped in to revolutionize their learning environment, ensuring an unparalleled educational experience for their students.

The client's eLearning platform, which relied heavily on a Virtual-Box VM Hadoop sandbox provided by a leading Hadoop vendor, faced multiple issues:

• The Hadoop vendor discontinued support for the sandbox.
• The underlying operating system, Redhat, was losing support.
• The client had no control over the sandbox, leading to dependency and operational risks.

To develop a new, independent learning environment that:

• Overcame the limitations of the unsupported sandbox.
• Provided an updated, reliable, and manageable platform.
• Ensured compatibility and ease of use for students and instructors.

Shrewd Data consultants devised a comprehensive plan to address the client's needs:

• New Environment Development: Created a new sandbox environment hosted on Virtual-box using Ubuntu.
• Included Technologies: Integrated a comprehensive suite of Big Data tools including:
     - Data Processing: Spark, Hadoop, HDFS, MapReduce, Pig, Oozie, Flume, Sqoop, Flink, Kafka, and Storm.
     - Database Technologies: Hive, HBase, Cassandra, MongoDB, Drill, and Presto.

• Compatibility Challenges: Overcame numerous compatibility issues between different component releases by using Apache Big Top as a base.
• Admin Tool Replacement: Since Ambari was not ready for Ubuntu, created:
     - A user-friendly web front end.
     - A user-friendly Bash menu.
     - Custom install scripts.

• Extensive Testing: Performed rigorous testing to ensure all modules functioned correctly for various instructor use cases.
  

• Enhanced Control: The client gained full control over the learning environment, reducing dependency on third-party vendors.
• Up-to-Date Platform: An updated and reliable big data analytics platform that can be easily maintained and updated.
• Improved User Experience: Students can now explore and utilize multiple Big Data tools seamlessly in a virtual machine environment.

The new, innovative learning environment significantly improved the eLearning platform, making it more competitive and effective. Students are now able to work with a wide range of Big Data tools, including Spark and Hadoop, within a fully controlled and updated virtual environment. This transformation led to heightened student satisfaction and engagement, cementing the client's reputation as a leader in data and analytics education.