The 2nd IEEE International Workshop on Wireless and Mobile Technologies in Education, 2004. Proceedings.

We present three projects in mobile learning. First, we polled 333 Japanese university students regarding their use of mobile devices. 100% reported owning a mobile phone. 99% send email on their mobile phones, exchanging some 200 email messages each week. 66% email peers about classes; 44% email for studying. In contrast, only 43% email on PCs, exchanging an average of only 2 messages per week. O... View full abstract»

In this paper, we describe the development of a mobile butterfly-watching learning (BWL) system which supports independent learners by offering a new pattern of outdoor mobile learning (or called as m-learning) activities. The proposed BWL system was designed using a wireless mobile ad-hoc learning environment. In our designed system, each individual learner has a wireless handheld device, which i... View full abstract»

This paper describes a computer supported collaborative learning (CSCL) in a ubiquitous computing environment. In the environment called CLUE, the learners provide and share individual experience and interaction corpus and discuss about them. This paper focuses on the design, implementation, and evaluation of knowledge awareness map. The map visualizes the relationship between the shared knowledge... View full abstract»

This paper describes a computer supported ubiquitous learning environment for language learning. This paper proposes two systems. The first is context-aware language-learning support system for Japanese polite expressions learning, which is called JAPELAS (Japanese polite expressions learning assisting system). This system provides learner the appropriate polite expressions deriving the learner's ... View full abstract»

This paper describes the trial of a mobile learning organiser, developed for use by university students. Based on a wirelessly-enabled Pocket PC, the organiser makes use of existing mobile applications as well as tools designed specifically for the context of learning. The trial set out to identify what are the key tools for such a learning device. The primary uses of the organiser were communicat... View full abstract»

In this paper we describe the MIThril mobile-IT education (MIT.EDU) platform, an innovative architecture that allows for the rapid prototyping of wireless mobile multi-user applications for use in classroom settings. MIT.EDU is a proven, accessible system that combines inexpensive, commodity hardware, a flexible sensor/peripheral interconnection bus, and a powerful, light-weight distributed sensin... View full abstract»

As PDA's becomes increasingly accepted in clinical settings, medical schools are following suit by requiring or recommending PDA's to enhance students' clinical knowledge and skills. This paper examines the implementation of a PDA requirement at a leading US based medical school over three years. It explicates the complexity of diffusing a nomadic technology even in an educational environment gene... View full abstract»

With the emergence of information technology, wireless communication and mobile devices are the newest applications in education. The wireless technology enhanced classroom (WiTEC) integrates wireless local area network, mobile learning devices, and client-server architecture to support instruction and learning activities in classroom. This paper introduces the framework of three learning activity... View full abstract»

Effectively incorporating technology into the classroom is a great challenge faced by schools today. In this article, we propose a mobile computer supported collaborative learning (MCSCL) system to support high school teachers with wirelessly networked handheld computers. This system promotes student collaboration and constructivism, without losing face-to-face contact. The MCSCL system was tested... View full abstract»

Code It! fosters mathematics learning environments where pre-algebra students use handheld technologies to explore and learn about functions. The resources developed - server-based and handheld software and paper-based student and teacher texts - were packaged as a 20-session unit on code making and breaking and designed to boost students' understanding of functions and their facility with the mul... View full abstract»

This paper describes an educational application that combines handhelds (PDAs) and programmable Lego bricks in a classroom scenario that deals with the problem of letting a robot escape from a maze. It is specific to our setting that the problem can be solved both in the physical world by steering a Lego robot and in a simulated software environment on a PDA or on a PC. This approach enables the s... View full abstract»

Most of current information retrieval systems are deployed on high-speed network and high-power environment. For those great increasingly popular mobile devices with low-speed network and low-power environment, to intensively retrieve the information on the Internet is difficult. In this paper, we propose a framework named EMARE (stand for E-mail based mobile agent runtime environment) to solve th... View full abstract»

Mobile devices and services have many potential implementations in the area of learning and education. The main advantages of these devices, namely limitless mobility and small size, can bring new dimensions to the learning processes of the students. Problem Processing Assistant (PPA) is a Web-based learning tool that combines the characteristics of digital portfolios with the functionality of ope... View full abstract»

Over the past decade developments in computer technology have led to the emergence of low-cost high-powered portable computing devices, and improvements in the capabilities and operation of computer networks. A number of these developments should address some technical obstacles widely viewed as limiting the realization of the potential for computer technologies to support learning in schools. Thi... View full abstract»

Using handheld devices in educational environments is being recognized as a suitable method. Due to drastic revisions in Japanese curriculum standards for elementary school children, new theories, systems and practices to support children in their learning are required. Therefore, we focused attention on science museums, which are different learning environments to schools. In this paper, we propo... View full abstract»

Mobile technologies like mobile phones allow a learning community to combine classroom activities with simultaneous field explorations in an authentic environment. The collaboration between the two groups can be enhanced by a technique called collaborative concept maps, based on SMSs (short message service). This means that mobile technology is used not just as a mediator (of learning activity/col... View full abstract»

Productive interactions can enhance meaningful learning. Through applying computer technology appropriately, classroom interactions can be preceded more effectively and productively. In view of this, this study presents and applies the WiTEC, a learning environment that adopts ubiquitous computing and wireless learning devices with various interaction-supporting functions, to promote productive in... View full abstract»

This paper discusses uses for learner models in mobile adaptive learning environments, focusing on how different learner modeling issues and attributes may be relevant in a mobile learning context. These issues are illustrated by four simple systems. More complex environments can be built according to the principles illustrated in these initial implementations. View full abstract»

In previous work on mobile learning, students used cellphones and pocket computers (PDAs) primarily to view study materials and answer quizzes. But anecdotes imply that Japanese students type faster on cellphones than on desktop PCs, suggesting that students could use mobile devices to take notes and write reports. This paper is a first quantitative investigation into the ability of Japanese stude... View full abstract»