Work in progress - a mobile computing collaborative framework for problem-based learning environment

Problem-based learning (PBL) is an important and effective learning technique. The increasing speed and capacity of computing and wireless communication and the decreasing costs of hardware components has made mobile personal computing a viable platform solution to the barriers incurred in the typical PBL process. Wireless infrastructures are becoming a standardized commodity. This paper deals with the development of various design principles, and methods that emphasize the effective integration and utilization of mobile solutions to construct efficient, robust, and reusable software modules in the context of a university's learning environment in computer engineering. A mobile personal software system framework has been developed and prototyped. The system framework supports several important factors involved in a PBL environment, such as resource sharing, cross-functional teamwork, and efficient information distribution. A mixture of modern personal pocket and tablet PCs, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technology is used for the platform