Transcript Putting the m- in Front of Learning at the “Politehnica” University in Timisoara Iasmina Ermalai Marian Bucos Mihai Onita Radu Vasiu Introduction • Mobile devices – the latest.

Putting the m- in Front of
Learning at the “Politehnica”
University in Timisoara
Iasmina Ermalai
Marian Bucos
Mihai Onita
Radu Vasiu
Introduction
• Mobile devices – the latest trend in
education
• Overview
 The meaning of e-Learning
 A few examples of already implemented
systems
 Future directions at the “Politehnica”
University in Timisoara
Why m-Learning?!
• e-Learning:

Learning through the use of devices
based on computer and
communications technologies
(personal computers, CD-ROMs,
PDAs and Mobile Phones)

Distance learning

Flexible learning
Why m-Learning?!
• m-Learning (Mobile Learning):

Special branch of e-Learning

The learning content is delivered on
mobile devices (mobile phones,
PDAs, iPODs)
Why m-Learning?!
• Benefits:

Mobility: - anytime anywhere learning
- absolute freedom for the learner over
the learning material
- no need for alternative ways of
connecting to the Internet

More user-orientated than e-Learning:
- it aims specific kinds of users and thus
knowledge
Why m-Learning?!
• Challenges:

Technological:
– the limitations of different mobile devices:
screen size, memory size, operational
system, software, and the information
transfer speed at different wireless
technologies
– the development and the testing of the
system - on mobile devices

Pedagogical
Different approaches to mobile
learning around the world
• Projects using mobile devices in various
learning environments started to appear in
2001
• Examined areas: foreign language
vocabulary lessons, scheduling, study
prompts and reminders via mobile phones
• Mobile devices used: mobile phones,
PDAs, iPODs
Different approaches to mobile
learning around the world
• One of the first projects using mobile
phones in language learning - developed
by the Stanford Learning Lab
• Spanish study programs: vocabulary
practice, quizzes, word and phrase
translations, and access to live talking
tutors
• Conclusions: mobile phones - effective for
quiz delivery if delivered in small chunks
Customizing content for mobile devices
at the “Politehnica” University in
Timisoara
• CSID - distance learning program
• Existing platform
Customizing content for mobile devices
at the “Politehnica” University in
Timisoara
• So far students can: check their
schedule, set meetings with tutors,
follow their curricula and their grades,
see their colleagues’ information, post
and read messages, use wiki and
blog.
• Shortcomings: the necessity of a
computer and an Internet connection
Customizing content for mobile devices
at the “Politehnica” University in
Timisoara
• Future improvements:
– Use the existing platform and make it
accessible from mobile devices
– Implement a software which will give
students the possibility to check or
download their schedule and have access
to the news area from their PDA or mobile
phone
– Integrate this software into the CSID
platform
Conclusions and further work
• Take into consideration the
technological and the pedagogical
point of view
• Above all, think about the beneficiary of
the system, the Learner
• Not everything can and should “go
mobile”:
• ok for small chunks of information, for having
access to news and personal calendar
• not ok for large amounts of information, and
courses that in fact need more than a mobile
phone
Conclusions and further work
• Future plans
– Decide which parts can have a mobile
development
– Implement them
– Test the learners reaction (using a
feedback questionnaire implemented for
mobile devices)
– Draw conclusions regarding our work
and future approaches to this matter
Thank you for your attention!