bluetooth mlearning applications for the classroom of the ... · overview bluetooth mlearning...

Bluetooth mLearning Applications for theClassroom of the Future

Tracey J. Mehigan Daniel C. Doolan Sabin Tabirca

University College Cork, Ireland

2007

Overview Bluetooth mLearning Applications Conclusion

Overview

Overview

Introduction

Mobile Learning

Bluetooth

Mobile Message Passing

Example Application

Conclusions


Introduction

Introduction

What is Mobile Learning?

The achievement of educational practices through the use ofmobile technologyAn essential part of an emerging learning processes for theclassroom

Mobile Learning holds great significance for the future ofmainstream education

Mobile Technology could be used to encourage young peopleto learn in a beneficial way.


Mobile Learning

Mobile Learning

The emergence of Mobile Learning results from

Increased mobility of electronic learners

Advancement in wireless technologies

Until now Mobile Learning has relied on

Wireless Application Protocol

Wireless Markup Language


Bluetooth mLearning Applications


Are in essence Bluetooth Games

Use Bluetooth Technology and Mobile Phones to connect Studentswith their Teacher over a Piconet

Create a fun and interactive method of learning in the classroom



Connecting Students with their Teacher


Mobile Phones

Why Mobile Phones?

Mobile Phones

One of the most successful technologies to have emerged intosociety.Can achieve most of the tasks that Personal Computers arecapable of.Forecasts predict future processing power equitable to that oftoday’s PCs.Phones such as Nokia N92 are capable of displaying Digital TV


The Mobile Phone Market

Mobile Phone Penetration in Ireland

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The Mobile Phone Market

Mobile Phone Penetration in the EU

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Motivation

Motivation

Resources

Processing Power and Capabilities of Mobile Phones combinedwith Bluetooth are providing the potential for a revolution ineducation

New and Interactive Technologies

Facilitate the development of modern teaching methods tocreate more interesting and immersive learning environments

Opportunity

Most students own at least one mobile device, therefore thereis access to an existing resource.


Bluetooth

Bluetooth

What is Bluetooth ?

Bluetooth Technology allows different devices to communicatewith each other over a piconet or scatternetIt allows for easy interconnection of wireless devices such asmobile phones, computers, PDA’s etc.

Bluetooth Standardization

Bluetooth 1.2Bluetooth 2.0


Bluetooth Trends

Today’s Bluetooth Trends

Bluetooth Trends

Bluetooth is receiving increased attention from the wirelessindustryBluetooth Community committed to ongoing development ofstandards to ensure relevance in the futureThe full impact of Bluetooth technology remains unclear


Educational Trends

Today’s Educational Trends

In Today’s society classroom teaching is a difficult task.

Students fail to take part in classroom discussions

Classroom culture has made teaching a one way street.

There exists an Established Precedent in education to developsystems to improve classroom learning and student feedback

ClassTalkParticipatory SimulationsCollaborative Data Gathering

Mobile Technology can lead to higher grades



Mobile Message Passing Interface

What is MMPI?

Based on the Message Passing Interface as introduced in 1992,MMPI is specific to mobile environments.A Java based library that significantly reduces the amount ofBluetooth specific coding required for multi-user softwaredevelopment through Client/Server parallel systemsMMPI employs Bluetooth as a wireless inter-devicecommunications mechanism.



Mobile Message Passing Interface

How does MMPI Work?

The overall MMPI structure consists of Three ClassesThe Main Class MMPI is responsible for primary MessagePassing functionsThe BTClient and BTServer secondary classes create theunderlying Bluetooth connection


MMPI Structure

The MMPI Main Classes

MMPI

BTServer BTClient


MMPI for Education

MMPI for Education

Interactive applications using Bluetooth can empower boththe Student and the Teacher

The Student is provided with the ability to interact in aninteresting environment

The Teacher is given the ability to assess students and solveproblems that may exist with individual students

The MMPI library enables the development of Bluetoothapplications without the need for lengthy code


Example mLearning Application

Applications for Mathematics

Two example applications center on the subject area ofAlgebra

Both the Quadratic and Linear Simultaneous Equation typesare provided for

Design and Structure

Employs a Client / Server ArchitectureDesigned for use with Mobile Phones to provide a simple,interesting and fun method of learning for the classroom.The student (Client) uses material sent to their device by theirteacher’s device (Server) to calculate a proposed solution


Example Application

User Interface

Server Side

A Form is created using TextFields to enable equation valuesto be entered.Values can be selected Randomly using a Random Command.The equation is output to the Master screen using a StringItem.A dynamic textfield is created to log student devices, answersand results.


Example Application

User Interface

Client Side

Again a user Input form is used to get values for the student’sproposed answerThe answer is displayed to the Student using a String Item.The answer is sent to the Teacher using a Send Command.On receipt from the Teacher the result is displayed using aString Item.


The Algorithm

1: loop2: if (RANK == MASTER) then3: Obtain from input form or generate random values for

a0,b0,c0,a1,b1,c14: Generate values for x1,x2 based on input values5: Put the values into the equation as appropriate6: Send values for equation to Client devices7: for (each client device) do8: get result x1,x2 from client9: validate the result STATE return message on status of result

10: end for11: end if12: if (RANK != MASTER) then13: Get the equations from the MASTER14: Populate the input form with proposed solution15: Send the solution to the MASTER16: Get the validated result17: end if18: end loop


Initial Application Screens


Linear Simultaneous Equations

Example of algebraic application


Help Screen


Testing and Evaluation

Testing

The Applications were tested as part of a routine mathematicsclass by 25 second year students

1 89% of students enjoyed the overall mLearning experience2 82% increased ability to participate in class3 92% found the applications challenged their mathematical

ability4 76% would like to see similar applications incorporated into

their classroom routine5 89% of students found the applications beneficial to classroom

learning

Limitations

Mobile Phone Limitations such as screen size did not hinderthe example application in carrying out its objectives


Conclusion


mLearning applications benefit the student as part ofclassroom routine

The overall learning process is enhanced

Change class room culture for the better and increase learning

Empower both Students and Teachers within the classroom

Student inhibitions are removed

Students learn by Inclusion and Interaction rather thanDisengagement


The Future

Potential for the Future

A wider area of mathematical problems and subject areascould be included

GeometryCalculusTrigonometry

There is potential to develop applications for other subjects

The future of Mobile Learning has enormous potential andappears greatly significant


Do you have any Questions?

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