Mobile Phone solutions for Distance Learning

Abstract

The report discusses basic teaching-learning philosophies and experiences from the development and testing of mobile learning integrated with the online distance education system at NKI (Norwegian Knowledge Institute) Distance Education. The report builds on experiences from three European Union (EU) supported Leonardo da Vinci projects on mobile learning: From e-learning to m-learning (2000-2003), Mobile learning – the next generation of learning (2003-2005), and the ongoing project, Incorporating mobile learning into mainstream education

Table of Content

CHAPTER ONE5

INTRODUCTION5

Context8

CHAPTER TWO11

LITERATURE REVIEW11

Increasing the flexibility of distance education11

Views on knowledge and learning13

Studying online and offline17

Technical solution17

Trial of two Project 1 courses20

The significance of m-learning22

New technology22

Demographics of use and users: the dispersion of mobile technology23

Digital libraries and e-books26

Technology: web-developers27

Of economics and special barriers to m-learning30

Affordable data plans/wireless internet32

Open source software33

Separating content from representation34

Concerning the limits of user needs assessment: open world/closed world problems34

Applications of m-learning35

Service innovation36

Special libraries and workplace utilization of mobile technology39

Academic and school libraries41

Public libraries44

CHAPTER THREE48

METHODOLOGY48

Research Method48

Literature Selection Criteria48

Search Technique49

CHAPTER FOUR50

DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS50

User friendliness60

Didactic efficiency60

Technical feasibility61

Cost efficiency62

Functionalities and quality63

Incorporating Mobile Learning into the Mainstream of Education and Training66

Specification for the project67

Mobile technologies can be divided into two basic categories67

Hardware68

Service requirements69

Possible services70

Delivery of interactive quizzes71

CHAPTER FIVE106

CONCLUSION106

Resources for further study106

The Mobile W3C Working Group107

REFERENCES113

Chapter One

Introduction

The report discusses NKI basic philosophies of distance learning and their consequences for development of a learning environment supporting mobile distance learners. Most NKI courses are not designed to function as online interactive e-Learning programmes, although some parts of the courses may imply such interaction with multi-media materials, tests, and assignments. NKI courses normally involve intensive study, mainly of text-based materials and include problem solving, writing essays, submitting assignments, and communicating with fellow students by email or in the Web-based conferences. This means that most of the time the students will be offline when studying. From experience, we know that students often download content for reading offline and print content for reading on paper.

When developing system solutions for mobile learning, it is assumed that the NKI students will have access to a desktop or laptop computer with an Internet connection. This means that when students are mobile and wishing to study, the equipment and technologies they use will be in addition to they equipment use at home or at work. It should also be noted that the solutions developed were based on the absolute assumption that mobile learners would study within the same group of students who do not have access to mobile technology. Thus, the design of the learning environment must efficiently cater to both situations and both types of students.

During the first project, NKI developed solutions for mobile learning applying mobile phones and Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) with portable keyboard. Learning materials were developed mainly for downloading to the PDA and off-line study, while online access to forum discussions, responding to forum messages, reading in forums, communication with fellow students and tutors, and submitting assignments, were handled online via mobile equipment when students were on the move.During the second project, NKI developed and tested solutions for ...