This document discusses the concept of a personal learning environment (PLE). It defines a PLE as a future learning system centered around the needs and interests of the individual student, where content can be reused and remixed. A PLE integrates online resources and services, using widgets that allow for mashups and customization. The document outlines technological aspects of a PLE prototype created using JavaFX widgets, which was tested for usability. Next steps involve rolling out the prototype and programming more useful widgets focused on learning objects.

1. Personal Learning
Environment
-
a Conceptual Study
Behnam Taraghi, Martin Ebner, Gerald Till, Herbert Mühlburger

2. Technology enhanced Learning
http://flickr.com/photos/powerbooktrance/289992273//

3. uLearning
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sovietuk/141381675

4. What is a PLE ?

5. According to Stephen Downes a PLE is ...
a future learning environment
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alancleaver/2441359074

6. According to Stephen Downes a PLE is ...
not an institutional or coporate
application but a learning center
http://www.flickr.com/photos/skippytpe/256929499

7. According to Stephen Downes a PLE is ...
where content is reused and
remixed
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alysser/2011022884

8. According to Stephen Downes a PLE is ...
according to the
student‘s own
needs and interests
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alysser/2011022884

9. Why we need a PLE ?

10. University a closed castle?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/toru_okada/1377360600

11. But how can we integrate the WWW ...
http://edtechpost.wikispaces.com/file/view/swl_ple2.gif (Scott Leslie, PLE Diagram)

12. and combine it with university‘s services?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ghz/407109888/

13. The general concept

14. 7 crucial aspects for the shift (Schaffert&Hilzensauer, 2008)
Social Involvement Content
Ownership
Educational &
organisatioal
culture
Personalisation
Technological aspects Role of learner
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thetoad01/2677459596

15. Technological concept

16. MashUp Principle - Use of Widgets
http://java.sun.com/developer/technicalArticles/J2EE/mashup_2/

17. Comparable to iGoogle

18. Widget
„Widgets are full-fledged client-side
applications that are authored using Web
standards. They are typically downloaded and
installed on a client machine or device where
they typically run as stand-alone
applications outside a Web browser“
Defintion of W3C
• Follow a W3C Widget Specification
• IST Palette Project allows exchange -
furthermore also the communicaton
between widgets

19. Java FX
„JavaFX is a rich client platform for building
cross-device applications and content.
Designed to enable easy creation and
deployment of RIAs with immersive media
and content, the JavaFX platform ensures
that RIAs look and behave consistently
across diverse form factors and devices.“
http://javafx.com/docs/gettingstarted/javafx/

20. Java FX
• JavaFX for PLE Widgets
• Java plus JavaFX User Interface
• Drag-to-Install

21. Java FX
Will PLEs Become Ubiquitous through the Use of Widgets? (Taraghi, Mühlburger, Ebner, Nagler (2009)

22. First Design Study

23. Central Ideas of the GUI:
„Less is more“ „the best of two worlds“
„tidy not cluttered“
http://www.flickr.com/photos/harmrhebergen/2694630

24. Brainstorming

25. First conceptual ideas

26. MockUp
http://www.flickr.com/photos/theredproject/3879832565

27. Main GUI Elements

28. Workflow
WidgetZone Widget Zoom
Dashboard FullScreen

29. Usability Tests
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rdolishny/2760207306

30. First Design

31. PersonalDashboard

32. Thinking Aloud Test

33. Remark about Widget Size

34. First Working Prototype

35. Prototype

36. Next Steps
• Roll Out of the Prototype
• Programing of Useful Widgets
• Special focus on learning objects

37. Join us in Graz - http://www.iunig.at
SOCIAL LEARNING
Computer and Information Services
Graz University of Technology
Graz University of Technology
Martin Ebner
http://elearningblog.tugraz.at
http://elearning.tugraz.at