A qualitative analysis of context-aware ubiquitous learning environments using Bluetooth beacons

ABSTRACT

The use of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons is becoming widespread for context-aware learning environments. This technology can be used in indoor and outdoor settings such as museums, shops, home and schools in order to identify the location of learners and their contexts. Specifically, in the constructivist view of learning, learners can use such sensing technology for constructing knowledge and experiencing learning at any time, anywhere. However, exploration of such technology has been limited in the constructivist context-aware ubiquitous learning (U-learning) literature. For this purpose, the authors evaluated two android-based U-learning applications: one was an outdoor learning environment in a garden, the other was about locating books in a library. The applications were implemented and tested with school and university students. The qualitative results are presented in this article, and show how such sensing technology is promising for both pedagogical environments.

KEYWORDS:

• Bluetooth Low Energy
• technology
• pedagogy
• digital story

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the management of Bahria College Karsaz, and Bahria University, Karachi specifically the teachers who encouraged their students to participate in the experiments and provide us with valuable feedback on these applications.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interests was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Sohaib Ahmed

Dr Sohaib Ahmed is working as the Head of the Department of Software Engineering, Bahria University, Karachi, Pakistan. He obtained his PhD in technology-enhanced learning from Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand. His current research interests are inquiry-based learning, context-aware ubiquitous learning and ontology engineering.

Sameena Javaid

Sameena Javaid is from the Department of Computer Science, Bahria University, Karachi, Pakistan. Her studies and research areas are ubiquitous computing, mobile learning and development, and computing technologies in pedagogical innovations.

Moazzam Fareed Niazi

Dr Moazzam Fareed Niazi is from the Architecture, Technology and R&D Foundation Division of Mobile Networks, Nokia Networks Oy, Oulu, Finland. He studies the impact of technology on learning and education, technology design and software development.

Anzar Alam

Dr Muhammad Anzar Alam is from the Department of Electrical Engineering, Bahria University, Karachi, Pakistan. He studied at Mid Sweden University, Sweden and his current research areas are computer-based embedded systems and technology-enhanced education development.

Adnan Ahmad

Dr Adnan Ahmad is from the Department of Computer Science, COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore, Pakistan. Previously, he published at well-known venues including TrustCom, Computers & Security and IEEE Communications Magazine. His current research interests include online privacy and security issues, distributed systems and e-learning.

Murad Ali Baig

Murad Ali Baig graduated from the Department of Computer Science, Bahria University, Karachi, Pakistan. He is currently working as a business intelligence specialist at Sable37, Dubai, UAE.

Hubab Khalid Khan

Hubab Khalid Khan graduated from the Department of Computer Science, Bahria University, Karachi, Pakistan. She is currently working as a software engineer in the IT department of a banking firm.

Tooba Ahmed

Tooba Ahmed working as a Technical Operations Analyst at United Bank Limited & currently enrolled in MS Project Management, Department of Management Sciences, Bahria University, Karachi, Pakistan.