International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN:2395-0056
Volume:12Issue:05|May2025 www.irjet.net p-ISSN:2395-0072
BrightPath: Leveraging MERN Stack for Affordable and High-Quality ELearning in Modern Education
Bhuvan S Hegde1 , Skanda Prasad Mayya2 , Bhagyashree B Goudar3 , Chethan T S4
Dr. Tippe Swami G R5
1,2,3,4B. E Student, Dept. of ISE, Rajarajeswari College of Engineering, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India 5Professor, Dept. of ISE, Rajarajeswari College of Engineering, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Abstract - The education landscape is undergoing a significanttransformation,drivenbyrapidadvancementsin technology and the growing need for flexible, studentcentred learning experiences. E-learning platforms are at the heart of this shift, The landscape of technical education isundergoingsignificanttransformation,drivenbytheneed to redefine traditional methods of knowledge delivery and assimilation. This study explores the development of an innovative e-learning platform designed specifically to address the educational challenges faced by engineering students. The system architecture leverages the MERN technology stack comprising MongoDB, Express.js, React, andNode.js withserver-siderenderingfacilitatedbyEJSto optimizeperformanceanduserexperience.
Keywords: E-learning, MERN stack, EJS, MongoDB, ExpressJS, NodeJS, educational technology, personalized learning, interactive content, student engagement, instructortools,engineeringeducation.
1.INTRODUCTION
The landscape of education is experiencing a profound transformation, fuelled by rapid technological innovation andthe evolving expectationsof modern learners.Among themostsignificantdevelopmentsistheriseofe-learning platforms, which have become essential in delivering flexible, inclusive, and engaging educational experiences. In the field of engineering education, these platforms present a unique opportunity to overcome longstanding limitations associated with traditional instructional models.
Conventional approaches to engineering education often struggle with constraints such as limited accessibility, rigid structures, and a lack of individualized learning pathways. These challenges can hinder student engagement and contribute to disparities in learning outcomes. E-learning systems, by contrast, offer scalable and adaptable alternatives that can better address the needsofcontemporarystudents.
Key Advantages of E-Learning in Engineering Education:
CustomizedLearningExperiences: Digital tools enable dynamic content and evaluation to align with individual learnerprofiles,improvingcomprehensionandretention.
Immersive and Active Learning: Incorporating simulations, game-based elements, and collaborative functions promotes deeper engagement and conceptual understanding.
Anytime-Anywhere Access: E-learning platforms supportasynchronouslearning,allowingstudentstostudy attheirownpaceandconvenience,regardlessoflocation.
SupportforHighEnrolments: Platforms are inherently scalable, making them suitable for large cohorts without compromisingcontentdeliveryoruserexperience.
FeedbackandPerformanceAnalytics: Integrated data tracking provides instructors and learners with valuable insights into learning patterns and outcomes, guiding futureimprovements.
Given these benefits, the creation of a purpose-built elearning platform for engineering disciplines offers significant promise. Such a platform can not only modernize educational delivery but also empower students with personalized, effective, and engaging learningexperiencesthatequipthemforthedemandsofa technologicallydrivenfuture.
1.1 Development Approach and Structuring
Beforeproceedingwiththetechnicalimplementationofan e-learning platform, it is essential to outline and structure the content and features it will support. Proper planning ensures a seamless integration of user experience design with technical architecture. During the early development stages, content including textual resources, assessments, and visual materials should be compiled, reviewed, and saved in modular formats for easy maintenance and updates.
Textual materials must remain free of unnecessary formatting such as hard tabs, excessive line breaks, or manual pagination. Adhering to clean and minimal documentformattingimprovescompatibilitywithdynamic rendering engines like EJS, which will be used to deliver personalized front-end experiences. Ensuring that content and media assets are managed in distinct repositories allowsforeasierintegrationandversioncontrol,especially when deploying on platforms built with NodeJS and ExpressJS.Allproofreadingandstructuralrevisionsshould
International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN:2395-0056
Volume:12Issue:05|May2025 www.irjet.net p-ISSN:2395-0072
be completed prior to applying style or format templates, as formatting errors can lead to rendering issues on the clientside.
Careful attention must also be paid to grammar, technical accuracy, and consistency in terminology across learning modules, particularly when catering to a specialized domainlikeengineering.
1.2 UI Design Standards and Guidelines
Consistency in design and presentation plays a critical role in maintaining a professional and user-friendly interface for e-learning platforms. The user interface (UI) should adopt a consistent font style Cambria, in this case forallinstructionalandnavigationalelements.This ensures readability and aesthetic uniformity across variousdevicesandscreensizes.
Type 3 fonts, often associated with outdated rendering practices, should be strictly avoided as they may cause incompatibility issues across different web browsers or screen readers. While Cambria should be the default font, other typefaces may be selectively used for specialized purposes,suchasmathematical notation or programming syntax,providedtheymaintainclarityandaccessibility.
Maintaining consistent typographic and layout standards enhances the overall user experience, which is especially important for students engaging with technical subjects that require prolonged screen time and focused study. Accessibility guidelines, including font scaling, color contrast, and responsive layout behavior, should be integral to the design process to ensure inclusivity for all learners.
2. PROBLEM STATEMENT AND EXISTING SYSTEM ANALYSIS
A.ProblemStatement
The objective of this research is to develop a comprehensivefull-stackweb-basede-learningapplication using EJS (Embedded JavaScript Templates), MongoDB, Express.js,andNode.js.Theplatformisintendedtosupport students particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds who lack access to quality education throughconventionaleducationalinstitutions.
B.ProblemElaboration
Engineering education, in its traditional form, presents several critical limitations. These include restricted physicalaccesstoeducationalresources,inflexiblelearning structures, and the absence of individualized instruction. Such issues disproportionatelyaffect students who cannot attend established institutions due to geographical, financial, or social constraints. As a result, many learners
are unable to receive the high-quality, adaptive education necessarytothriveinthemodernengineeringworkforce.
C.AnalysisoftheExistingTraditionalSystem
Thetraditionalmodelofengineeringeducationistypically centered on in-person delivery through lectures, laboratories, and instructor-led tutorials. While effective for many, this model often encourages passive learning, where students are expected to absorb information and demonstrate comprehension via standardized exams and assignments.
This structure tends to prioritize memorization and algorithmic problem-solving over conceptual understanding and application. Consequently, students may find themselves ill-prepared for the practical, interdisciplinary challenges they will face in real-world engineering roles. Furthermore, the one-size-fits-all instructionalapproachlimitstheabilitytoaddressdiverse learning preferences, leaving gaps in comprehension and skilldevelopment.
The absence of personalized feedback, real-time performance tracking, and flexible learning environments hampers student growth, especially for those who may requireadditionalsupportorwishtoprogressattheirown pace. These shortcomings underscore the need for a modern, scalable solution that leverages technology to enhancetheeducationalexperienceforalllearners.
3. PROPOSED SYSTEM
The solution we propose involves building BrightPath, an end-to-end e-learning web application using the MERN stack MongoDB, Express.js, React.js, and Node.js alongside EJS for server-side rendering. This platform is tailored to provide accessible, cost-effective educational resources, particularly for students who encounter difficultiesinpursuingconventionalengineeringeducation.
Thisplatformwillbedevelopedwithafocusonscalability, modularity,andeaseofuse.Itsarchitectureisdesignedto support a highly interactive and personalized learning environment, ensuring a smooth and engaging user experience.
International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN:2395-0056
Volume:12Issue:05|May2025 www.irjet.net p-ISSN:2395-0072
Fig-1:ProposedSystemDiagram
3.1 System Overview
Thisplatformwillserveasadynamiconlinelearninghub, connecting students and instructors on a single platform. Instructors can create and share course content such as video lectures, interactive activities, quizzes, and assignments.Studentswillaccesstheseresourcesthrough aresponsive,user-friendlyinterfacethatalsoallowsthem to track their learning progress, receive timely feedback, andengageindiscussions.
Fig-2:FlowDiagram
Themajormodulesinclude:
User Authentication and Role Management
This module ensures secure access using JWT (JSONWebTokens),withdifferentlevelsofaccess forstudentsandinstructorsbasedontheirroles.
Course Management System
Instructors can easily build, update, and organize course content. Courses are sorted by subject, difficultylevel,andlanguagetohelpstudentsfind themostsuitablelearningmaterials.
Content Delivery Engine
UtilizingEJSforserver-siderendering,thisengine delivers interactive, multimedia-rich content that adapts to each user’s learning progress and preferences.
Assessment and Feedback Module
This component supports automatically graded quizzes, coding exercises, and personalized instructor feedback. Student performance data is securelystoredinMongoDBandcanbevisualized bybothlearnersandadministrators.
DiscussionForumsandPeerInteraction
To promote collaborative learning, the platform includes discussion boards, commenting features, and messaging tools where students and instructors can interact and support one another.
3.2 Technical
Architecture
Application is built following the Model-View-Controller (MVC)designpattern,whichseparatestheapplicationinto logical components for better scalability and maintainability.
Frontend(View):
The user interface is created using EJS templates, combined with Bootstrap and custom CSS to ensure a responsive and visually appealing design. JavaScript enhances client-side interactivity, enabling a smooth and engaging userexperience.
Backend(Controller):
The backend is powered by Express.js, whichmanages serverroutes,handles incoming requests,andintegratesmiddlewarefortaskslike inputvalidationanduserauthentication.
Database (Model): All application data including user profiles, course details, submissions, and activity logs is stored in MongoDB. The NoSQL structure allows
International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN:2395-0056
Volume:12Issue:05|May2025 www.irjet.net
forhighflexibilityandscalability,accommodating futuregrowthandfeatureexpansion.
Server: Node.js serves as the runtime environment, efficiently managing asynchronous operations and API interactions. This allows the platform to support real-time features such as live chat and dynamicquizupdates.
3.3 Key Features
Feature Description
Personalized Dashboards
Affordable Pricing Model
p-ISSN:2395-0072
Customizedrecommendations,progress tracking,andpersonalizedlearninggoals.
Tieredsubscriptionoptionswithfreeaccess tocoreeducationalresources.
Instructor Tools Drag-and-dropinterfaceforcontentupload, scheduling,andcoursemanagement.
Gamification Elements
Useofbadges,points,andleaderboardsto increaselearnermotivation.
Analytics & Insights Admindashboardwithvisualreportson studentengagementandperformance.
Offline Access (Planned)
Optionstodownloadcontent(e.g.,PDFs, videos)forlearningwithoutinternet.
3.4 Scalability and Future Scope
The system is built with scalability at its core, incorporating support for containerization through Docker and leaving room for seamless integration with cloud platforms such as AWS or Azure. Future enhancements include AI-driven recommendation engines, voice-to-text functionality to improve accessibility, and mobile application deployment through ReactNative.
With a strong focus on content quality, affordability, and interactive learning, the platform is positioned to transform how engineering students connect with digital education narrowing access gaps and fostering a more impactful,engaginglearningenvironment.
4. IMPLEMENTATION AND DEPLOYMENT
The e-learning platform has been developed using a modular and structured approach to ensure that it remains scalable, reliable, and easy to maintain. This section provides an overview of the tools, technologies, and deployment strategies that support its functionality andlong-termperformance.
BackendImplementation
The backend is powered by Node.js and Express.js, forming the core of the application’s logic. RESTful APIs are used to manage features such as user authentication, course content, assessments, and messaging. To secure these endpoints, JWT(JSON Web Tokens)isemployedfor session-based authentication, offering secure access controlforbothstudentsandinstructors.
DataManagement:
DataishandledusingMongoDB,aNoSQLdatabasechosen for its flexibility in managing varied and evolving data structures.WiththehelpofMongoose,schemamodelsare defined for users, courses, assessments, and feedback, ensuringstructureddatahandling.
Middleware:
Custom middleware functions within Express are set up fortaskslikeinputvalidation,logging,errorhandling,and securing routes. These layers help enhance both the securityandstabilityofthebackendservices.
FrontendImplementation
Instead of using a single-page application (SPA) approach like ReactJS, the platform uses EJS (Embedded JavaScript Templates)forserver-siderendering.Thisallowsdynamic datatobeinjecteddirectlyintoHTMLtemplates,whichis particularly efficient for content-heavy pages, leading to fasterrenderingandamoreseamlessuserexperience.
Templating:
EJS templates are broken down into modular components and reused across different routes, promoting consistency and reducing redundancy inthefrontendcodebase.
UI/UX
Design:
The user interface is styled using Bootstrap 5 for responsive design across devices. Interactive elements such as quizzes, countdown timers, and discussionpop-upsareimplementedwithcustom JavaScripttoenhanceengagement.
DeploymentStrategy
Deployment is managed using modern tools and cloud services to ensure reliability and flexibility across environments.
VersionControl:
All source code is managed through GitHub, enabling collaborative development, version tracking,andcontinuousintegrationworkflows.
International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN:2395-0056
Volume:12Issue:05|May2025 www.irjet.net p-ISSN:2395-0072
Containerization:
The entire application is packaged with its dependencies using Docker, allowing for consistent deployment across development, testing,andproductionenvironments.
Hosting&Deployment:
The platform is deployed on cloud services such as Render, Heroku, or AWSEC2, depending on the performance and scalability requirements. MongoDBAtlas is used to host the database, offering a secure and scalable cloud-based data managementsolution.
5. CONCLUSIONS
The development of BrightPath marks a meaningful step toward modernizing education for a digital-first generation.Leveragingthe MERN stackalongwithEJS for dynamic content rendering, the platform addresses many of the challenges faced in traditional engineering education by providing a more interactive, flexible, and affordablelearningexperience.
Students gain the advantage of accessing personalized learning materials anytime, anywhere, while instructors are empowered with robust tools to design and deliver engaging courses. Looking forward, platform’s future plans include features like AI-driven content recommendations and dedicated mobile apps further enhancing its mission to make engineering education moreinclusive,adaptive,andreadyforthefuture.
REFERENCES
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