Integration of location-based information into mobile learning management system to verify scientific formulas in informal learning environment

Scientific formulas govern our life while moving from one location to another. Furthermore, the recent advances in mobile devices, in particular smart phones, presents a significant opportunity of research concerning personalization of services in various industries including mobile learning, also called M-learning. Hence, this study investigates into the development of an adaptive mobile learning model that extends the traditional learning systems that address content customization issue, to include formulas verification feature with help of location-based information in informal learning environment. The main contribution of this novel model is to provide mobile learner (i.e. student) with a virtual-teacher anytime-anywhere to verify or even solve course-related tasks, especially in scientific courses such as math or physics formulas. The virtual-teacher is addressed in this study in form of an intermediate object. This object is built by merging data from three different resources: mobile learner profile, formulas profile, and location-based information. As a result, mobile learner will receive the location-aware personalized outcomes in form of answers that correspond to the pre-defined tasks. In addition the results or the answers will be subject for further assessment by instructors. Their participation is highly recommended to engage mobile learner into an interactive learning environment. A major benefit of this study is depicted in offering learners who are continually mobile with an alternative approach of understanding courses-related tasks at their time convenience, rather than attending the traditional classroom based instructor led session. For example, a learner who is moving between three different locations, the intermediate object can describe a triangle shape, subsequently triangle-related formulas, that determine distances, can be verified. Pressure variation can also be demonstrated for a learner who is moving between coasts and mountains. As it can be observed from these examples, mobile learner has the opportunity to participate in a real application of a specific task. The instructors can also benefit from this study since it provides them with an adaptive model to demonstrate their lessons-related formulas, outside classrooms.