Module Description
Module Name, Abbreviated Name, Code
Technologies for Mobile and Ubiquitous Learning, TMUL, TMUL
Credits, Level
15 credits, level 5
Lecturer
Niall Winters and George Roussos
Online Material
Module Outline
This module provides an introduction to the development of mobile and ubiquitous (MU) learning activities. The overall aim is to equip students with the socio-technical expertise to understand the role of mobile technologies in education.
Students will take an interdisciplinary approach to the area, focusing on the key challenges in design, development and deployment of mobile learning experiences. They will be provided with "hands-on" opportunities for designing their own learning experiences and for programming mobile phones during lab sessions.
Aims
The main aims of the module are:
- to study the novel aspects of MU learning
- to study the principles, research problems and applications of MU technologies in education
- to acquire a range of design skills for software development in MU computing
- to acquire participatory design experience to understand user needs
- to help students develop self-study skills so that they can keep up with the rapidly changing technologies, tools and techniques in the area
Syllabus
- 1: An introduction to mobile and ubiquitous learning. To provide a history of the development of mobile learning across formal and informal settings. Current definitions will be discussed. Key projects will be highlighted and their design characteristics identified.
- 2: Mobile and ubiquitous computing: fundament concepts. The development of cyber-physical systems with particular reference to novel applications. We review the main challenges involved in developing such systems as well as the unique opportunities for novel interaction modalities.
- 3: Participatory approaches to design I. The fundamentals of participatory design are presented and the DeMoEx framework for the design of contextual mobile learning experiences is presented. The aim of the framework is to develop an appropriate solution through a deep understanding of the educational context and will be used in the group project.
- 4: Context and context-awareness I. Context and context-awareness are core aspects of mobile learning. In this session, these concepts and their implications for learning will be explored (e.g. Underwood, Traxler).
- 5: Context and context-awareness II. Models of context from both the technology enhanced learning (e.g. Luckin) and computer science literature (e.g. Dey, Dourish) will be presented and discussed.
- 6: RFID: Applications. RFID will be used to exemplify the features that make pervasive computing a separate computing paradigm. Specific case studies include asset management, tangible interaction, logistics and art.
- 7: Participatory approaches to design II. Current research on participatory approaches to design are presented and discussed (e.g. Dearden). Key issues and challenges will be outlined and criticism of the approach addressed.
- 8: Mobile learning and development. This session will focus on the use of mobile technologies in developing regions, focusing in particular on crowdsourcing and mHealth applications. Students will be introduced to a number of key technologies, including FrontlineSMS, Google ODK and epiCollect. These will be critiqued from a design perspective.
- 9: Design of mobile learning experience. In this "hands-on" sessions, students work in groups to design and develop their own mobile learning experience using a participatory approach of their choosing.
- 10: Presentation of mobile learning experience. Presentation of the designs developed and opportunities for student feedback
- 11: The laboratory sessions will be dedicated to the development of the principle software development skills required for creating applications on the Google Android mobile computing platform. The sessions will be practical and hands-on and will consider user interfaces, location sensing, data communication and audio recording.
Prerequisites
Introduction to Software Development or equivalent
Timetable
All dates and timetables are now listed in the programme booklets of the individual programmes.
Assessment
The module will be assessed on three pieces of work: 1. A joint 2,500-word group project report 2. An individual 1000-word report on their participation in the project (Pass/Fail) 3. A group presentation (Pass/Fail) Each student will receive an individual mark. Students working in small groups of four will produce a joint project report detailing the design of a mobile learning experience.Each member of the group will be allocated the same mark for the joint report and individual marks will be moderated in light of (2) and (3).
