Mobile Access to Course Management Systems
Learning-on-the-Go PDA How m-Learning is enhancing education
Learning-on-the-Go PDA
Learning-on-the-Go: How m-Learning is Enhancing Education
Even as online courses continue to permeate the curricula of many institutions of higher education, distance learning students continue to encounter many barriers to accessing education.
Learning-on-the-Go PDA
“Learning on the Learner’s Time”
becoming increasingly important escalating demands on schedules accessing course resources more challenging
Learning-on-the-Go PDA
m-Learning: Improved Access
Technology tools in higher education are becoming increasingly mobile
Through m-Learning, students may gain unprecedented access to many of the tools necessary to pursue education, regardless of location or time of day
Learning-on-the-Go PDA
Variety of m-Learning possibilities…
audible texts and MP3s e-textbooks and encyclopedias other innovative formats such as
simulations, streaming video clinical data collection access to Course Management Systems
Learning-on-the-Go PDA
m-Learning: PDAs
The handheld personal digital assistant (PDA) is one m-Learning tool that is increasing in use: Portable Versatile Relatively low cost ($200) Provides on-demand access to education
resources
Learning-on-the-Go PDA
m-Learning: PDAS
Many colleges and universities have incorporated PDAs into their teaching, curriculum and student resources…
Text messaging Pod-casting Data collection
Learning-on-the-Go PDA
Educational Applications of PDAs
Learning-on-the-Go®: Adult students taking courses online or on
Saturdays “idle time” while commuting, during lunch breaks,
at the airport, deployed and other situations without computer access
Learning-on-the-Go® began with audio study guides available in the MP3 format
PDA pilot project started Sept. 2004; focused on military
Learning-on-the-Go PDA
Educational Applications of PDAs
Learning-on-the-Go Pilot Project:
Started with a limited number of military students Graduate and undergraduate programs PDA given at no charge Students from nearly all branches of the military
located in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo, and more
Learning-on-the-Go PDA
Educational Applications of PDAs
Course materials via PDA…
provide students access to course materials contained in Blackboard, our course management system
Students have access to course syllabus, course materials, asynchronous discussion, etc.
Interactivity is achieved by enabling students to read and write to the discussion board offline. Postings appear each time student syncs PDA
Learning-on-the-Go PDA
Learning-on-the-Go PDA
Connecting the PDA to CMS
ColdFusion Web Server
AvantGo Server
BlackboardWeb Server
Learning-on-the-Go PDA
Technical Applications of PDAs - Considerations
Used BB Building Block API to “connect” Blackboard (course and user) to the new discussion board
Seamless to students and faculty Can read but cannot write discussion messages
Learning-on-the-Go PDA
Technical Applications of PDAs - Considerations
Used ColdFusion to build a mail client that re-routes outgoing mail through our ColdFusion server
(i.e. it appears to DU mail server as if a local machine is sending it)
Learning-on-the-Go PDA
Technical Applications of PDAs - Considerations
Learning-on-the-Go 2.0 uses ColdFusion to “read” the content of a Word document housed in the CMS and transfers it to the PDA as a text document
Learning-on-the-Go PDA
Cost$60 per AvantGo concurrent user license + $15/year maintenance fee$220 per PDA (provided to students free of charge if they take 18 credits with the University)
Other costs covered by existing resources: Blackboard, Oracle and Coldfusion In-house programming “Recycled” server for AvantGo
Learning-on-the-Go PDA
Educational Applications of PDAs - Considerations
Lessons learned in the pilot project.
The PDA is a tool – a good supplemental device for those servicemembers/students who do not have frequent access to a computer
Flexibility is mandatory Ziploc bags are great for protecting PDAs!
Learning-on-the-Go PDA
Future Trends in m-Learning
Students will continue to demand flexibility for education that meet not only their educational but access needs.
Exploring opportunities to incorporate audible texts and MP3s, streaming video, simulations, e-textbooks and other resources that lend themselves to the mobile learner.
Learning-on-the-Go PDA
Future Directions for Learning-on-the-Go
Now in version 2.0
Continuing to improve the learning environment
Simulations, virtual reality programs
SLPA will expand the PDA option to a wider student population
Learning-on-the-Go PDA
Learning-on-the-Go: How m-Learning is Enhancing Education
“The Learning-on-the-Go project reinforces the types of change impacts we can anticipate on the infrastructure elements of faculty training, help desk support, and enterprise system modifications.”
Judith V. Boettcher - consultant specializing in distance learning and the applications of new media
Learning-on-the-Go PDA
Learning-on-the-Go: How m-Learning is Enhancing Education
Dr. Dorothy Bassett, [email protected] DeanDuquesne University, School of Leadership
Karen Mangis, [email protected], Online ProgramsDuquesne University SLPA
Boris Vilic, [email protected] of Technology, Duquesne University SLPA
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