Authentication and authorisation for widget-based applications in a loosely-coupled web eLearning environment

In this paper, we discuss the mechanisms used for authentication and authorisation of users in a widget-based web environment that integrates multiple components from multiple providers running at multiple locations. Users are typically teachers and pupils who access our platform either directly or through their usual Learning Management System (LMS). Although the technologies used themselves are not new, we believe that the approach we follow is innovative enough in their integration and use. Our approach is based on a survey ran among european teachers about their practices in terms of user credentials usage and sharing.