m-Learning Not an Extension of e-Learning based on a Case Study of Moodle VLE
Learning through mobile devices is considered to be the key feature that we can observe in m-learning. However, m-learning contains both technical and pedagogical issues to be addressed when such a learning service is provided. Technical issues are the first obstacles that must be addressed in developing m-learning interface for a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). However, when we develop an m-learning extension for existing online learning programmes overcoming technical issues, we have less opportunity to change the pedagogical structure since the most of the learners has bonded and related through e-learning VLE. In this paper, we are presenting technical development work that we carried out to develop an m-learning extension to Moodle based VLE at the University of Colombo School of Computing (UCSC) and its initial evaluation. Since the majority of the learners who follow all these programs have mobile phones and it is higher than those who possess a laptop/desktop computer with Internet connection, we believed this new development could bring a value added service that learners would like very much. However, we failed to promote the mlearning extension among active e-learners in our online blended learning programmes. In our investigation, we discovered that the m-learning cannot be promoted as a value added service for the e-Learning based framework. Learners do not receive a significant benefit compared to the cost they incur to interact the learning service. Both pedagogy and technical infrastructure must be considered together not as an extension of existing learning service but to provide a new learning service in the m-learning. This paper also discuss the initiative that was taken to develop an m-learning platform for Moodle, open source learning management system which was used to develop the VLE of UCSC. It includes how mobile browsing, mobile applications and Short Message Service (SMS) were designed and developed to access learning resources and activities to interact with other users who were facilitating or following online courses.
m-Learning e-Learning Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Moodle Learning Pedagogy
K. P. Hewagamage
University of Colombo School of Computing, No. 35, Reid Avenue, Colombo 07, SriLanka
国际会议
10th World Conference on Mobile and Contextual Learning(第十届移动学习国际会议)
北京
英文
211-219
2011-10-18（万方平台首次上网日期，不代表论文的发表时间）