Learning in Ubiquitous Computing Environments

Abstract

The application of ubiquitous technologies in the improvement of education strategies is called Ubiquitous Learning. GlobalEdu is a model created to support ubiquitous learning. The model has the necessary support to implement learning-related functionalities in ubiquitous environments. The basic ubiquitous computing support must be supplied by a middleware where GlobalEdu lays atop. This article proposes the GlobalEdu model and its integration with two ubiquitous middlewares: ISAM and LOCAL. ISAM supports the creation of large-scale ubiquitous systems. As such, its integration with GlobalEdu results in large-scale ubiquitous learning environments. LOCAL is dedicated to create small-scale ubiquitous learning environments. The integration GlobalEdu/LOCAL results in a local ubiquitous learning environment. Based on this small-scale environment, the authors’ created a system and applied it in a practical scenario involving the community of a Computer Engineering undergraduate course. The system was positively evaluated by 20 individuals and the initial results attest the system’s usefulness.