Evaluating smart city learning

Measurement and analysis of individually interpreted learning experiences can build a knowledge picture of how learners perceive immersive technology-mediated learning in smart cities. Comparison of these learning experiences, with theoretical factors derived from relevant literature, may then shed light on the usefulness of theory in practical learning design and approaches to the evaluation of immersive learning environments analysed from a theoretical basis. In turn, this may contribute to current approaches of urban smart city environment planning for citizen engaged ‘human smart cities’ [14]. Mobile learning location-based prototypes will be developed with subject experts and implemented in open (urban) spaces located at Upper Barrakka Gardens, Valletta for history and Argotti Gardens, Floriana for botany. This paper discusses potential methodologies for designing a measurement of the effectiveness of these learning experiences and associated learning design for immersive urban learning environments mediated by mobile and networked technologies. Acknowledging the hybrid nature [9] of smart city learning, interactions between digital tools, content and community, measuring both intra- and inter-learner experiences is anticipated. Identifying and quantifying these dimensions of interactions will help us understand more about how urban smart learning activities create immersive experiences for each learner, engaging them in a variety of internal cognitive and social processes. To clarify mutual interaction between theoretical and empirical factors, a system of theoretical factors of significance is proposed to be developed, and then correlated, with learning experience analysis factors. A brief review of hybrid learning environment research, including ubiquitous learning [4] manifested in hybrid [9], mobile [8] and smart city [2] environments, provides context for how analytical methodology might be applied to an interactive learning system in smart cities. Phenomenographic techniques of variation and outcome space are investigated, together with the Dialogic Space concept [30] of conversation interaction for analysing dialogues.Funded by the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme of the European Union.peer-reviewe

Exploring students\u27 museum experiences in the context of web-based learning environments

The paper examines the nature of school excursions to museums, and how the Internet, and in particular the web pages accompanying museum exhibitions, can be utilised to create authentic and complex learning environments for school students. The paper describes proposed research between a university and two leading museums that will investigate whether and how learners link web-based content and data in developing a broader perspective on the museum experience. It will explore in depth the use of the web to situate the onsite museum visit, not as a single one-off event, but within a complex task or problem-based learning approach that extends beyond the museum visit itself

Designing Massive Open Online Learning Processes: The importance of the social element

This is a pre-print for personal use only. Please refer to the Springer website for the official, published version http://www.springer.com/978-3-662-52923-2MOOCs as provision of open and online education have become phenomena in higher education that can’t be dismissed. While MOOCs might have originated in the US, the model used there does not fit well with the European take on education. In this chapter we describe an alternative more collaborative approach of MOOC design. This approach is based on a model already tested in practice and has been further elaborated and evaluated in the ECO project. The pedagogical framework is based on the notion that MOOCs should be designed to accommodate the specific context of open online education with its heterogeneity of learner needs. It differs very much from a traditional classroom approach and needs to put the learner center-stage in a social networked learning environment. We describe the characteristics of such a pedagogical framework and explain how digital inclusion, ubiquitous learning and gamification can provide affordances for active participation of learners that meet the learners’ needs. We illustrate how these aspects have been implemented in ECO sMOOCs and provide the first, positive, user evaluations of this approach.Part of the work carried out has been funded with support from the European Commission, under the ICT Policy Support Programme, as part of the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP) in the ECO project under grant agreement n° 21127

Analysing mobile learning designs: A framework for transforming learning post-COVID

Mobile learning is well established in literature and practice, but under-evolved from a rigorous learning design perspective. Activity theory presents a sophisticated way of mapping and understanding learning design, but for mobile learning this does not always translate into change in practice. The reported research addresses this by coupling a mobile learning specific approach to activity theory with a practice-based framework: the design for transformative mobile learning framework mapped to the pedagogy-andragogy-heutagogy continuum matrix (the DTML-PAH Matrix). Seven case studies are analysed using this approach and presented narratively along with framework informed analysis. Findings include that the DTML-PAH Matrix can be used to provide clearer implications and guidance for mobile learning practice, and that the DTML-PAH Matrix can also be guided by the practice over time. Implications for further research and practice are discussed. Implications for practice or policy: Provide technological and pedagogical scaffolds to students. Learning designs should focus upon enabling elements of learner agency and creativity. To develop learning solutions to real world problems utilise a design-based research approach. Create authentic collaborative learning activities and tasks. Integrate mobile learning affordances in the design of the course and curriculum

Towards mobile learning deployment in higher learning institutions : a report on the qualitative inquiries conducted in four universities in Tanzania

Over the past two decades, mobile learning (m-learning) has been a purposeful area of research among educational technologists, educators and instructional designers whereby doubts and controversies over its relevancy and applicability have been keenly addressed. This paper explores stakeholders’ perceptions of m-learning deployment in Higher Learning Institutions (HLIs). Spe- cifically, we examine the potential of m-learning for HLIs in Tanzania and the challenges that hinder successful m-learning deployment. We adopt a comparative qualitative case study design in which four HLIs in Tanzania were purposefully selected. The study uses a combination of de- sign science research approach and qualitative methods including grounded theory, document re- views, and observation. The respondents included university lecturers, students and ICT experts, who were selected for the interviews through theoretical sampling. The transcripts were loaded, coded and analyzed in NVIVO software. The results indicate that mobiles (smartphone, tablets, laptops, feature-phones etc.) are widely used in the HLIs. Stakeholders perceive that m-learning deployment is important and useful because it improves the quality of the learning experience. The results further indicate that there are financial, pedagogical, technological, infrastructural, individuals – and policy – related challenges that hinder successful deployment of m-learning in HLIs in Tanzania, such as limited network coverage, some students ́ inability to afford mobiles, lack of qualified staff for preparation of mobile content and administration, gaps in the exist- ing policies, and faulty course design. However, our results show that participants are optimistic about the potential of m-learning in the HLIs of Tanzania. They expect that m-learning will im- prove access to learning resources, teacher-student and student-student interaction without being restricted by time or place. Thus, m-learning is considered to have the potential to address issues of crowded classrooms, expertise, access to learning materials, flexibility of the learners as well as remote connectivity.
 We recommend that HLIs should prioritize m-learning and commit resources to the success of the related projects. We also recommend that the governments and stakeholders provide policy interventions, subsidize mobile technologies, expand network coverage, build capacity within and outside HLIs, and improve digital literacy by integrating ICT education at all levels of education

Smart education as empowerment: outlining veteran teachers’ training to promote digital migration

Within the enhancement of technology and its ongoing integration into formal education setting, learning environments have been challenged to operationalize and arrange systems that engage pedagogy and technology together. The nature of this ongoing transformation is closely related to the paradigms that reign in the twenty-first century, in a scenario of what is now called a Fourth Industrial Revolution. School, despite losing its monopoly on knowledge diffusion, still plays a central role in educating new generations, therefore, it holds key responsibility in addressing contemporary logics of learning, living and becoming a citizen. Amidst the course of change and the ultimate calls for innovation in education, we encounter veteran teachers, professionals with a long teaching history, whose challenges include becoming familiar with new devices in order to fulfil their work demands. In this article, we then explore how central veteran teachers are for the progression to a smarter education scenario, through debating a training carried out in Portugal with 38 teachers from pre-school and k-12, aimed at promoting their digital migration. Data strengthen ties regarding teachers’ perceptions and attitudes in relation to technology and consequent resource on it as pedagogical tools. Also, the overall discussion of the training provides clues on how teacher-oriented actions might address their identity if meaningful output is desired, in order to support a real change of practice.Digital migrations and curricular innovation: giving new meaning to experience and rekindle teaching profession after 50 (Project number: PTDC/CED-EDG/28017/2017

Mobile Learning: location, collaboration and scaffolding inquiry

Critiques of mobile learning pedagogy are concerned with whether such approaches are technology led. This chapter discusses how the particular features of mobile learning can be harnessed to provide new learning opportunities in relation to collaboration, inquiry and location-based learning. Technology supported inquiry learning is a situation rich with possibilities for collaboration. In particular, mobile learning offers new possibilities for scaffolding collaboration together with its other better-known features such as scaffolding the transfer between settings and making learning relevant by making use of the possibilities of location-based learning. These features are considered as part of mobile learning models, in particular mobile collaborative learning models