Development and evaluation of a context-aware ubiquitous learning environment for astronomy education

Abstract

In recent years information technology has been integrated into education to produce a series of trends, beginning with “electronic learning” (e-learning), through “mobile learning” (m-learning) and finally to “ubiquitous learning” (u-learning), which aims to improve learner motivation through overcoming the conventional limitations of time and location. U-learning practices are still being developed, and learners frequently experience difficulty focusing on learning objectives, and effective learning strategy tools are still lacking. This study reports the design of a context-aware astronomy learning system. The system integrates several technologies, including radio frequency identification, wireless communication networks, handheld mobile devices, and databases to help students learn astronomical concepts. Two content modules were developed in the context of natural science education for fifth-grade elementary school students in Taiwan. Indicators of user experience with the system were collected for further phenomenographic analysis, based on four perspectives of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology model to assess learner willingness to use this novel u-learning approach. Results show that ease-of-use and the availability of immediate operational or technical support are key factors in increasing learning motivation and performance.

Keywords:

• interactive learning environments
• elementary education
• ubiquitous learning
• context-aware
• phenomenographic analysis

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the support of National Scientific Council (NSC) of the Republic of China (ROC) to this work under Grant No. NSC101-2410-H-005-068 and NSC 101-2622-E-005-016-CC3. The authors would like to thank Professor Chin-Shan Wu for his constructive suggestions for questionnaire design. In addition, the authors also gratefully acknowledge the Editor and anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments and constructive suggestions.

Notes on contributors

Chia-Chen Chen is an Assistant Professor of Management Information Systems at National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan. Her current research interests include RFID, context awareness, wireless and sensor network, e-learning, and smart living. Dr Chen's research is published or is forthcoming in Information Sciences, Information Fusion, Computers and Education, Journal of Educational Technology & Society, The Electronic Library, International Journal of Mobile Communications, Personal and Ubiquitous Computing, Expert Systems with Applications, International Journal of Information Technology and Management, and a number of national and international conference proceedings.

Pei-Hsuan Lin is a master student of Information Management at Tunghai University, Taiwan. Her current research interests include RFID, context awareness, wireless and sensor network, e-learning, and smart living.