The purpose of this paper is to propose a conceptual framework for the integration and evaluation... more The purpose of this paper is to propose a conceptual framework for the integration and evaluation of mobile technology in educational settings. Research in the development of platforms and initiatives for and in education often display characteristics of either a pedagogical or technology focus. Only when the technology that supports a mobile learning event and the pedagogic considerations that underpin it, come together, does it produce a successful initiative. While both reflect a perspective, neither reveals it in isolation. By acknowledging this interdependent relationship in mobile learning and its incorporation into planning and evaluation, we are able to arrive at an understanding of the ensuing relationships between the individual, the community, the desired outcome and the mediating tool. In the development of this framework a case is made for considering the technology as a participating partner in learning events. This leads to new relationships that could influence the i...
The mobile telecommunications story in Africa and the developing world is a remarkable one. Afric... more The mobile telecommunications story in Africa and the developing world is a remarkable one. Africa's mobile cellular growth rate has been the highest of any region over the past 5 years, averaging close to 60% year on year. There have been large cellular infrastructure investments, which have enabled millions of people to communicate better. This paper looks at the various technical & operational considerations associated with creating a middleware platform for mobile services that will support different mobile paradigms (voice, text, multimedia, mobile web, applications) using a variety of communications protocols (SMS, USSD, MMS, Bluetooth, WAP data via GPRS/3G/HSDPA). This will enable the reusability of components, ensure scalability, support multiple access devices (from basic phones to more powerful smart phones, including traditional PCs), provide interoperability via different modes of access and will enable faster development time.
The proliferation of mobile devices as well as the convergence of mobile communications and handh... more The proliferation of mobile devices as well as the convergence of mobile communications and handheld devices offers the opportunity to design technology that will assist individuals and groups to learn anytime, anywhere. Therefore, mobile technologies are increasingly used to facilitate learning process and the use of these technologies creates new opportunities and challenges. However, designing, implementing and evaluating educational technology in mobile learning is largely unchartered territory. This paper describes the design, implementation and evaluation a mobile learning technology, namely IGLOO for mobile devices. It is intended to support educators as well as students in a learning environment. A working prototype system is discussed and evaluated.
The rapid development of computer-supported collaborative environments has highlighted the need f... more The rapid development of computer-supported collaborative environments has highlighted the need for collaborative knowledge construction devices. Because most available mindtools do not promote collaboration, there is a need for social mindtools that can be used in collaborative learning situations. We have used activity theory as a conceptual framework to define the requirements of social mindtools as awareness of other participants, communication and the ability to edit common objects together. We present the concept of Woven Stories and use it as an example of an effective social mindtool. We also describe a case study in which Woven Stories software was used as an online debating forum. This case study reveals the potential inherent in the concept, compared with other text-oriented Web 2.0 tools, such as wikis.
The interdisciplinary field of Human Computer Interaction (HCI), having barely matured past its a... more The interdisciplinary field of Human Computer Interaction (HCI), having barely matured past its adolescent shoes, now faces the challenge of meaningfully integrating Mobile Human Computer Interaction (MHCI). MHCI however, when viewed as an emerging independent discipline, does not have the luxury to leisurely plod along. Amid the great diversity of initiatives and interactions, the challenge is to compare or group similar interactions in order to identify synergies and commonalities from practice to feed back into theory. The authors argue for and present a matrix based on context and mobility. This matrix presents the stance of the user and how the users engage with the mobile technology in different contexts versus different mobility possibilities.
This paper describes the processes followed in establishing an I4D Study Centre at the Meraka Ins... more This paper describes the processes followed in establishing an I4D Study Centre at the Meraka Institute (South Africa). The initiative started as a joint effort between the Meraka Institute (South Africa) and University of Eastern Finland (Finland). It is to be funded by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland and the University of Eastern Finland. The Centre's main objective is to support Meraka Institute achieve the goal of South Africa having critical mass research capability in selected niche areas. The I4D Study Centre tasks are to increase both the research expertise pool available for Meraka and the partner university, and the joint development of study programs with universities that will prepare students for a researcher career with an ICT4D agenda. The Centre will also link the research abilities of North West University (NWU) and University of Cape Town (UCT) with Meraka's research agenda. The Centre is to provide the training needed for students to be able to become researchers. For a start three research areas have been identified in the areas of education, health and environment. The training will be implemented through the delivery of courses and supervision of students working towards their research degrees. The EdTechΔ group brings its expertise in supervising students remotely and its knowledge of creating or coordinating the creation of online courses for post-graduate students. The Tumaini (Tanzania) collaboration has served EdTechΔ to acquire the working knowledge of helping to run a university department in Africa and crafting an IT curriculum that is adapted and relevant to Africa. Hence, the EdTechΔ plans to develop the curriculum for the Centre and put in place the processes to be able to adapt it as it grows. The road to educate Master's and PhD's within the Centre will first be piloted by carrying out Honours' studies in conjunction with partner universities. The successful implementation of the project will provide with a working model of Study Centre that can be adapted to other topics and countries.
The purpose of this paper is to propose a conceptual framework for the integration and evaluation... more The purpose of this paper is to propose a conceptual framework for the integration and evaluation of mobile technology in educational settings. Research in the development of platforms and initiatives for and in education often display characteristics of either a pedagogical or technology focus. Only when the technology that supports a mobile learning event and the pedagogic considerations that underpin it, come together, does it produce a successful initiative. While both reflect a perspective, neither reveals it in isolation. By acknowledging this interdependent relationship in mobile learning and its incorporation into planning and evaluation, we are able to arrive at an understanding of the ensuing relationships between the individual, the community, the desired outcome and the mediating tool. In the development of this framework a case is made for considering the technology as a participating partner in learning events. This leads to new relationships that could influence the i...
The mobile telecommunications story in Africa and the developing world is a remarkable one. Afric... more The mobile telecommunications story in Africa and the developing world is a remarkable one. Africa's mobile cellular growth rate has been the highest of any region over the past 5 years, averaging close to 60% year on year. There have been large cellular infrastructure investments, which have enabled millions of people to communicate better. This paper looks at the various technical & operational considerations associated with creating a middleware platform for mobile services that will support different mobile paradigms (voice, text, multimedia, mobile web, applications) using a variety of communications protocols (SMS, USSD, MMS, Bluetooth, WAP data via GPRS/3G/HSDPA). This will enable the reusability of components, ensure scalability, support multiple access devices (from basic phones to more powerful smart phones, including traditional PCs), provide interoperability via different modes of access and will enable faster development time.
The proliferation of mobile devices as well as the convergence of mobile communications and handh... more The proliferation of mobile devices as well as the convergence of mobile communications and handheld devices offers the opportunity to design technology that will assist individuals and groups to learn anytime, anywhere. Therefore, mobile technologies are increasingly used to facilitate learning process and the use of these technologies creates new opportunities and challenges. However, designing, implementing and evaluating educational technology in mobile learning is largely unchartered territory. This paper describes the design, implementation and evaluation a mobile learning technology, namely IGLOO for mobile devices. It is intended to support educators as well as students in a learning environment. A working prototype system is discussed and evaluated.
The rapid development of computer-supported collaborative environments has highlighted the need f... more The rapid development of computer-supported collaborative environments has highlighted the need for collaborative knowledge construction devices. Because most available mindtools do not promote collaboration, there is a need for social mindtools that can be used in collaborative learning situations. We have used activity theory as a conceptual framework to define the requirements of social mindtools as awareness of other participants, communication and the ability to edit common objects together. We present the concept of Woven Stories and use it as an example of an effective social mindtool. We also describe a case study in which Woven Stories software was used as an online debating forum. This case study reveals the potential inherent in the concept, compared with other text-oriented Web 2.0 tools, such as wikis.
The interdisciplinary field of Human Computer Interaction (HCI), having barely matured past its a... more The interdisciplinary field of Human Computer Interaction (HCI), having barely matured past its adolescent shoes, now faces the challenge of meaningfully integrating Mobile Human Computer Interaction (MHCI). MHCI however, when viewed as an emerging independent discipline, does not have the luxury to leisurely plod along. Amid the great diversity of initiatives and interactions, the challenge is to compare or group similar interactions in order to identify synergies and commonalities from practice to feed back into theory. The authors argue for and present a matrix based on context and mobility. This matrix presents the stance of the user and how the users engage with the mobile technology in different contexts versus different mobility possibilities.
This paper describes the processes followed in establishing an I4D Study Centre at the Meraka Ins... more This paper describes the processes followed in establishing an I4D Study Centre at the Meraka Institute (South Africa). The initiative started as a joint effort between the Meraka Institute (South Africa) and University of Eastern Finland (Finland). It is to be funded by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland and the University of Eastern Finland. The Centre's main objective is to support Meraka Institute achieve the goal of South Africa having critical mass research capability in selected niche areas. The I4D Study Centre tasks are to increase both the research expertise pool available for Meraka and the partner university, and the joint development of study programs with universities that will prepare students for a researcher career with an ICT4D agenda. The Centre will also link the research abilities of North West University (NWU) and University of Cape Town (UCT) with Meraka's research agenda. The Centre is to provide the training needed for students to be able to become researchers. For a start three research areas have been identified in the areas of education, health and environment. The training will be implemented through the delivery of courses and supervision of students working towards their research degrees. The EdTechΔ group brings its expertise in supervising students remotely and its knowledge of creating or coordinating the creation of online courses for post-graduate students. The Tumaini (Tanzania) collaboration has served EdTechΔ to acquire the working knowledge of helping to run a university department in Africa and crafting an IT curriculum that is adapted and relevant to Africa. Hence, the EdTechΔ plans to develop the curriculum for the Centre and put in place the processes to be able to adapt it as it grows. The road to educate Master's and PhD's within the Centre will first be piloted by carrying out Honours' studies in conjunction with partner universities. The successful implementation of the project will provide with a working model of Study Centre that can be adapted to other topics and countries.
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