University of Birmingham students are issued with iPaqs in
mobile learning trial.
Mobile learning, where courses and information for students are
delivered to handheld devices, has been the focus of research by 15
universities across Europe over the past year as part of an
EC-funded project called Mobilearn.
The University of Birmingham's Centre of Educational Technology and
Distance Learning (Cetadl) is one of the main contributors to the
project.
Mobilearn's aim is to change the way people approach learning by
integrating new technologies such as personalisation, multimedia
and mobile devices into education and training.
Through multimedia learning, various types of education could
become more accessible. Another goal of the project is to circulate
knowledge freely, such as medical advice, in a way that is
appropriate for individual users.
Mike Sharples, director at Cetadl, has been heading a team that has
developed the first wireless learning organiser, specifically
designed for university students.
Sharples said, "Our aim is to move teaching out of the classroom to
wherever people find it most convenient to learn. Students could
work at home, on work placements or field visits."
Students at the university's school of engineering who are taking
part in the pilot have been using Compaq iPaq handheld devices. The
students can access course material, timetables, lecture notes and
communication tools such as instant messaging. Another aim of the
project is to discover how students will use the devices to
supplement their education.
Lecturers at the university also benefit from the pilot project
through a reduction in time spent doing administrative tasks.
"We are trying to get away from the bottleneck situation where the
tutor has to do everything," Sharples said. "Lecturers have
welcomed the pilot project, as it means lessons are less of an
administrative burden."
Cetadl's mobile learning research received a financial boost
earlier this year, when the centre announced a strategic
partnership with Microsoft.
As part of the partnership, supported by education secretary
Charles Clarke, Microsoft has contributed bursaries to students on
IT and related courses and has provided software for Cetadl.
Its funding supported a programme of research in mobile learning
and mobile gaming, as well as training and support in Microsoft
products for academic and IT staff.
Sharples said the partnership with Microsoft also provided the
opportunity for the development of mobile learning applications.
"We have set up a server at the university which allows students
free access to Microsoft development tools once they have paid a
one-off £12.50 administration charge," he said.
Cetadl's other ongoing research projects include collaboration with
Microsoft and Wave Solutions, a spin-off company within the
university's school of engineering. The company is producing a
wireless Lan "starter pack" for schools, colleges and small and
medium-sized firms.
Where Mobilearn will be used
European Resuscitation Council
The European Resuscitation Council has said it will make its
knowledge base available to students using Mobilearn. The knowledge
base is designed to support non-specialised students learning
medical procedures such as basic life support. The students will be
able to access quick-reference and audiovisual procedural guides
and virtual reality simulations.
Firenze Musei
Firenze Musei is a consortium which manages all the European
heritage locations in Florence. It will be using Mobilearn to offer
historical and cultural information to people visiting the art
galleries and museums.
MBA schools
International institutes offering masters in business
administration courses will be able to extend the reach and scope
of their current learning programmes by providing students with
personalised and tailored subscriptions to educational content on
mobile networks.