A context-aware ubiquitous learning environment for conducting complex science experiments

Abstract

Context-aware ubiquitous learning (u-learning) is an innovative approach that integrates wireless, mobile, and context-awareness technologies to detect the situation of learners in the real world and provide adaptive support or guidance accordingly. In this paper, a context-aware u-learning environment is developed for guiding inexperienced researchers to practice single-crystal X-ray diffraction operations. Experimental results showed that the benefits of this innovative approach are that it is "systematic", "authentic", and "economical", which implies the potential of applying it to complex science experiments, such as physics, chemistry or biotechnology experiments, for graduate and PhD students in colleges, or research workers in research institutes. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Author Keywords

Ubiquitous Computing computer-assisted learning Ubiquitous learning Context awareness Science experiments

Index Keywords

E-learning Computer aided instruction Innovative approaches Ubiquitous computing Research institutes U-learning Ubiquitous learning Experiments Ubiquitous learning environment Adaptive support Complex science Computer-assisted learning Conducting Complexes Context awareness Context-Aware Science experiments Single crystal x-ray diffraction

Author Affiliations

Department of Information and Learning Technology, National University of Tainan Taiwan, Tainan, Taiwan

Graduate School of Technological and Vocational Education, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei, Taiwan

Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering, National Central University, Taoyuan, Taiwan

Funding & Acknowledgements

National Science Council, NSC

Grant: 96-2628-S-024-001-MY3, 97-2631-S-024-002, NSC 95-2520-S-024-003-MY3

The authors would like to thank Prof. Sue-Lein Wang, Kwang-Hwa Lii, and Dr. Ling-I Hung for their assistance in developing the u-learning content and conducting the experiment. This study is supported in part by the National Science Council of the Republic of China under Contract Nos. NSC 95-2520-S-024-003-MY3, NSC 96-2628-S-024-001-MY3, and NSC 97-2631-S-024-002.

National Science Council, NSC

The authors would like to thank Prof. Sue-Lein Wang, Kwang-Hwa Lii, and Dr. Ling-I Hung for their assistance in developing the u-learning content and conducting the experiment. This study is supported in part by the National Science Council of the Republic of China under Contract Nos. NSC 95-2520-S-024-003-MY3, NSC 96-2628-S-024-001-MY3, and NSC 97-2631-S-024-002.

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A context-aware ubiquitous learning environment for conducting complex science experiments

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