Case study on use of location-based technology and rapid authoring tool to transform outdoor learning: Transforming outdoor learning with location-based technology and rapid authoring tool: Singapore experience

Schools of 21st century Singapore are tapping on advancements in infocomm technology(ICT) to enhance the educational landscape. With the advent of mobile technological enhancement, teaching can now be brought beyond the four walls of the classroom. Textbook learning is brought to life, and experiential learning can now take place at the actual historic and iconic sites through the use of location-based triggers. In 2010 LDR Pte Ltd was offered a grant by the Info-communications Development Authority of Singapore (“IDA”) for the project under the Economic Competitiveness Scheme. Setting the pace is the LOTM Tool, built to support the creation of highly engaging and interactive mobile learning trails through an easy-to-use LOTM interface and its supporting infrastructure. These learning trails developed through the LOTM Tool can be used for various subjects and enables students to experience authentic and hands-on learning outside of the classroom on both the iOS and Android OS. The LOTM Tool was developed to meet existing demand for the creation of self-guided trails on Android and iOS platforms following LDR's initial success in 2009 in designing highly interactive mobile trails that supported the learning of more than 15,000 students from the Singapore National Cadet Corp running on the Windows Mobile devices. The LOTM Tool integrates location-based technology such as GPS, Blue-tooth and Image Recognition with a rapid authoring tool and social media apps such as Facebook and Skype to create highly interactive digital learning trails for both Android and iOS platforms. Today the LOTM Tool has been used to create and run more than 95 highly interactive mobile trails, including 34 interactive Heritage Trails designed for the Ministry of Education for students and adults alike to appreciate the rich cultural, historical and natural heritage of Singapore as well as to support National Education, Community Bonding, Leadership Development, Teamwork and Navigation Skills Training in ‘Amazing Race’ fashion. The LOTM Tool can also be used by any licensed user to create their own location-based trails (e.g. a arts trails, shopping trails, health trails, community trails) to benefit their own or other communities. Schools can also use the tool to rapidly convert and deploy their existing pen-and-paper trails to Mobile Learning trails across different mobile platforms.