2011 06 01 (uned) emadrid smartin uned m2learn framework for development of mobile and ubiquitous learning applications

M2Learn: Framework for Development of Mobile and Ubiquitous Learning Applications Premio ATOS-Origin eMadrid2011 a la MejorTésis Doctoral
Autor: Sergio Martín Gutiérrez
Directores:
Dr. Manuel A. Castro Gil
Dr. Juan Peire Arroba

Summary
Objective:
Simplify and facilitate the development of mobile and ubiquitous context-aware apps interconnected to e-learning standards and platforms
Result:
M2Learn: Open Source Framework aimed to facilitate and simplify the development of mobile and ubiquitous learning applications
Contributions
Identification of meta-trends in educational technologies
Identification of requirements that a framework for mobile and ubiquitous learning must address
Creation of an open framework that fulfil such requirements
Multiple sensor management
Context-awareness and service discovery
Interoperability with external platforms, services, and tools through a distributed service-oriented architecture
Centralisation of the student’s e-portfolio in the e-learning platform
Sergio Martín - smartin@ieec.uned.es -

Index
Introduction and Motivation
State of the Art of Mobile and Ubiquitous Learning Frameworks and Middleware
Design of a Framework for the Development of Mobile and Ubiquitous Learning Applications: M2Learn
Experimentation
Evaluation
Experimentation
Dissemination
Conclusion

Introduction & Motivation

Manytechnologieshavealreadychangededucation (e-learning)
Manyothers are currentlyinfluencing (or are willingtoinfluence)
Motivation

Motivation
This scenario is leading us towards new digital learning ecosystem where applications must:

Motivation
The development of these new environments is difficult for many researchers because it requires:

Help developers to overcome these technological barriers and to facilitate the creation of advanced mobile learning projects focused on:
Thegoal

State of the Art
- State of the Art of Mobile and Ubiquitous Learning Frameworks and Middleware -

Learning-orientedframeworks
Comtext [Zanela, 2009]
Implemented features:
Communication/Collaboration (Skype & Mindmap)
Ad-hoc assessment system
Location & Interpreting: GPS, Cell towers & WiFi
Reminder
No implemented features:
Service Discovery
Context management & sharing
Open source
API or mashup opportunity
E-learning standards
Interoperability with LMS
RFID or other sensors

Chen’sframework [Chen, 2007]
Context-management
Service Discovery
Context-sharing
Open source
Location, RFID or other sensors
Communication & Collaboration

AGORA [Arrufat, 2008]
Communication & Collaboration (Chat & photo sharing)
Service Discovery
Open source

Sharing Middleware [Belimpasakis, 2008]
Service Discovery
Context sharing
Learning standards (Dublin Core)
Feeds (ATOM)
API available
Context management
Open source

Mobile Management System [Liu, 2007]
Interoperability with own LMS (chat, faq, bulletin board)
Context management and sharing
Open source
Service Discovery

Gang and Zongkai’s Framework [Gang, 2005]
Learning standards (LOM)
Location
Context management
Context sharing
Service Discovery
Open source

Tan’s Framework [Tan, 2009]
Location: GPS
Interoperability with own platform for sharing photos
Learning standards (LOM)
Open source
Service Discovery

Basaaed’s Framework [Basaaed, 2007]
Open source
E-learning standard
Context management
Context sharing
Service Discovery

LearningOrientedFrameworks

Design
Platform
Service 3
Service 2
Service 1

API
M2Learn
Framework
Client-side
M2Learn
Service Manager
Context Manager
Context-Hub Wrapper
Geographical Database
DomainArea Manager
Context-Hub
Service
Channels
Calendars, LOMs, QTI, RSS,...
Server-side

User’sContextCompilation

Client-side. Context Manager

ConnectstheContext-HubServicetosendowncontext and getothers’ context
Context-HubWrapper & Context-HubService
API
M2Learn
Client-side
M2Learn
Service Manager
Context Manager
Context-Hub Wrapper
1) sendContext(context)
2) getContext()
Context-Hub Service

Context-HubWrapper & Context-HubService

Client-side. Service Manager
Calendar Wrapper
Getseventsfortoday, thisweek, thismonth, all
LOM Wrapper
IMS-QTI Wrapper
RSS Wrapper
Contextual ServiceDirectoryWrapper
Channel Wrapper

Contextual Service Directory
API
M2Learn
Client-side
M2Learn
Service Manager
Context Manager
Context-Hub Wrapper
Service Directory Manager
4) List of services (XML)
2) getServiceList
getId2AreaService
getCoord2AreaService
getServiceList
getServiceListByArea
getServiceListByProfile
getServiceListByType
ContextualService Directory
Service
Publisher
CSD DB
1) publishService
3) Check DB
5) deleteService

Access external web servicesfollowingan API
List/read/write/reply/delete operations
Some of the implemented channels are chats, forums, wikis, blogs, and assignments.
ChannelManager
API
M2Learn
Client-side
M2Learn
Service Manager
Context Manager
Context-Hub Wrapper
Channel Manager
Forums
Chats
Blogs
Assignments
Channel Service

Moodle ForumChannelService
API
M2Learn
Client-side
M2Learn
Service Manager
Channel Manager
Moodle
1) readMessage
3) Message (XML)
2) checkDB
ForumChannel
LMS
Moodle DB

Otherservices/channelsdeveloped
Chat
Blog
AssignmentsSubmission

Experimentation

Experimentation
- Evaluation -

ComparisonRelatedWork vs M2Learn

Features implemented in each framework or middleware

Experimentation
- Experimentation in a Mobile Programming Course -

Experimentation in a mobileprogrammingcourse
Pilot of a 7 month-long postgraduate distance learning course on mobile programming
Participation of 3 students
Two experiences were conducted using the M2Learn framework within the course:
Mobile and Context-Aware LOM Loader With Communication Features through Moodle
Mobile Context-awareMicroblogging through Moodle

Mobile and Context-Aware LOM Loader With Communication Features

Sourcecode
Code for instantiation and configuration of the Mobile LOM Loader
M2LearnManager myM2l = newM2LearnManager(Username, userId);
ChannelWrapperforo = newChannelWrapper(URL, IdForum);
Code for loading the learning object and showing it in the screen
URL = myM2L.getServiceManager().getChannelServiceByType("lom-lab");
LOMWrappermiLOM = newLOMWrapper(URL);
webBrowser1.Navigate(new Uri(miLOM.ResourceURL);
Code for writing comments and sending them to the Moodle Forum
foro.writeElement(message);

Educativeapplications: Mobile microblogging

SourceCode
Code to instantiate the required modules for the Mobile Twitter
M2LearnManager myM2learn = newM2LearnManager(Username, userId);
ContextManager context = myM2learn.getContextManager();
ChannelWrapper twitter = newChannelWrapper(UrlServer,userId);
Code to post messages to Mobile Twitter
string area = context.getContext().address.fullAddress;
twitter.writeElement(name + "@" + area + ": " + message);

Satisfactionsurvey
Results are in general very good, with a small deviation.

Conclusions
Stats with 3 students are not valid for solid conclusions but provide a glimpse of the advantages that M2Learn offers to both developers and students:
M2Learn accelerates the development of mobile applications by facilitating the development of advanced applications with little effort
M2Learn is useful for education because its location API is easier to learn than traditional APIs and because it fosters learning engagement and motivation

Experimentation
- Dissemination -

M2Learn Open Development Community
http://code.google.com/p/m2learn
Manuel Castro - mcastro@ieec.uned.es -

Documentation
API documentation: Describes each class, method and attribute of the client-side framework. Created in 2 different formats:
Web site: This format allows integration in the project web site and supports on-line queries
CHM Help file: This format is easier to distribute as all the information is contained in one file.
Supportforseveralprogramminglanguages
C#, C++, and Vbasic
Examples: Examples aid developers in the development process, facilitating the initial steps of learning the system

Web site-baseddocumentation

CHM-baseddocumentation

Conclusions

Contributions of theThesis
Identification of meta-trends in educational technologies
Identification of requirements that a framework for mobile and ubiquitous learning must follow
Design and implementation of a framework that address such requirements
Multiple sensor management
Interoperability with external platforms, services, and tools through a distributed service-oriented architecture, including e-learning platforms
Centralisation of the student’s e-portfolio in the e-learning platform
Support for e-learning standards (LOM and IMS-QTI)

OtherContributions
Evaluation and comparison with other frameworks:
No other framework or middleware covers as much features as M2Learn
Experimentation in a mobile programming course:
Mobile and Context-Aware LOM Loader With Communication Features through Moodle
Mobile Context-awareMicroblogging through Moodle

ProblemsFound
Difficulty in following all the advances, technologies, and news in the emerging field of mobile computing
Vs

FutureWork
Development of the M2Learn client side for other platforms (e.g., Android, iPhone)
Implementation of new projects based on M2Learn
Growth of the Open Community
Development of server-side services for other LMS (e.g., dotLRN, Sakai)
Development of tools for educators rather than for developers
Security and privacy policies
Detection of people’s emotions and intentions through more advanced sensors, supporting more advanced context management

¡Gracias porsuatención!“Twenty-first century learning is not confined to a geographical location, or a particular space designated for learning purposes.”(Colley, 2007)
Autor: Sergio Martín Gutiérrez
Directores:
Dr. Manuel A. Castro Gil
Dr. Juan Peire Arroba

2011 06 01 (uned) emadrid smartin uned m2learn framework for development of mobile and ubiquitous learning applications

by emadrid network on Jun 16, 2011

Accessibility

Categories

Tags

Upload Details

Usage Rights

Statistics

2011 06 01 (uned) emadrid smartin uned m2learn framework for development of mobile and ubiquitous learning applications — Presentation Transcript