A dynamic ubiquitous learning resource model with context and its effects on ubiquitous learning

ABSTRACT

Most ubiquitous learning researchers use resource recommendation and retrieving based on context to provide contextualized learning resources, but it is the kind of one-way context matching. Learners always obtain fixed digital learning resources, which present all learning contents in any context. This study proposed a dynamic ubiquitous learning resource model with context. The model has context information and a flexible content structure that allows contents to be adjusted dynamically in different contexts, thus providing learners the contextualized resources that best match their contexts. In order to verify the effects of the contextualized resources, a contrast experiment was carried out in a vocational school in China. The experimental results showed that the contextualized resources could better improve learners' learning achievement and efficiency, improve their self-learning efficiency while reducing their cognitive load. Learners thought the ubiquitous learning system which provided contextualized resources was more useful.

KEYWORDS:

• Context-adaptive
• resource aggregation
• resource context
• resource model
• ubiquitous learning

Notes on contributors

Min Chen is an Assistant Research Professor at National Engineering Research Center for E-Learning, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, Hubei, China. She obtained her PhD degree at Beijing Normal University in 2015. Her research interests include e-learning systems, mobile and ubiquitous learning, personalized learning, and learning resources.

Sheng Quan Yu is a Professor of the School of Educational Technology at Beijing Normal University in Beijing, Republic of China. His research interests include ubiquitous learning, mobile learning, learning resource, and e-learning system. He received his PhD degree at Beijing Normal University in 2000. He has published about 80 peer-reviewed professional research papers.

Feng-Kuang Chiang is currently an Associate Professor at the School of Educational Technology at Beijing Normal University, China. He obtained his PhD in educational technology from National Kaohsiung Normal University, Taiwan in 2009 and was a post-doctoral fellow at the Institute of Applied Mechanics at National Taiwan University. His research interests include learning science, integration of ICT in education, E-Schoolbag for instruction, future classrooms, and STEM in education.