Mobile phones as a tool for learning

by

Mats Reinsby

-2007-

Outline

• Why use mobile phones for learning?• Limitations for mobile as learning tool• Why metadata?• What is SCORM?• Research questions• Methods used• Results from literature studies• The evaluation of SCORM• Summary

Why mobile phones?

• Widespread

• Portabel

• Universal

• Available

• Learn anytime, anywhere!

Limitations

• Technical limitations

• Hard to concentrate in some settings

• Expensive to download content

• Difficult to adapt all content to mobile

• Need metadata to enable filtering of content

Metadata

• Data about technical and pedagogical requirements

• Tell the system what it needs from device

• SCORM allows metadata

SCORM

• Sharable Content Object Reference Model• Project startet by DoD through ADL i 1997• Collection of standards from several

international organizations (AICC, ARIADNE, IEEE LTSC, IMS)

• Resulted in a Content Model for learning material.

• De facto standard within e- Learningindustry

SCORM CAM

• Content Aggregation Model

• Organization• SCO or Asset• All levels can be

tagged• Metadata based on

IEEE LOM

IEEE LOM

• Based on XML

• Developed for e- Learning content

• Nine categories:

• Technical and Educational relevant

• Developed by IEEE LTSC in 2002

General Technical RelationLife Cycle Educational AnnotationMeta-metadata Rights

Classification

Outline

Why use mobile phones for learning? Limitations for mobile as learning tool Why metadata? What is SCORM?• Research questions• Methods used• Results from literature studies• The evaluation of SCORM• Summary

Research questions

What flaws and shortcomings that will limit the utilization of mobile phones as a tool for learning can be found in the SCORM metadata specifications?

1. What properties are important to consider when serving learning content to mobile devices?

2. What are the most important features of an LMS designed to support the use of mobile devices as a tool for learning?

3. How can the SCORM metadata specifications be extended to better support the delivery of learning content to mobile devices?

Methods

• Literature study on learning objects• Literature study on mobile learning• Literature study on SCORM• Studying various LMS’• Studying current and future mobile phones• Evaluating SCORM based on criteria identified

through studies

10 important properties

- Screen properties (based on device detected)- Input requirements (based on device detected)- Processing power (based on device detected)- Storage needs (based on device detected)- Connection speed (based on device detected)- Browser functionality (based on device detected)- Learning situation (based on user input on login)- Learner style (based on learner profile)- Knowledge level (based on learner profile+ history)- Time available (based on user input on login)

Evaluation of SCORM

<educational>

<interactivity_type>Expositive</…>

<typical_age_range>18-25</…>

<difficulty>Very hard</…>

<semantic_density>Very high</…>

</educational>

<technical>

<format>video/mpeg</format>

<size>14349389</size>

<duration>PT1M45S</duration>

</technical>

Screen properties Input requirementsProcessing powerStorage needs Connection speedBrowser functionalityLearning situationLearner styleKnowledge levelTime available

Evaluation of SCORM

• All 10 properties possible to specify?

• Consistent syntax?

• Room for extensions?

• Model suitable for purpose?

• Possible to implement good filtering?

Evaluation of SCORM

Fully supported Not supported

Size

Input StorageConnection

Situation

Learner styleBrowser

Knowledge

Screen size

Processing power

Summary – what’s missing?

• Consistent way to describe learning content’s requirements to a device

• Strict schema for metadata tags• Element dedicated to describe screen size

and resolution• A way to indicate required processing

power• An industry willing to cooperate!• …or Tank!

Any questions?

Thank you for listening!