Architecture to support Ubiquitous Applications and the Active Learning Environment

• Grant number: 09/10586-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: April 01, 2010
• End date: March 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Computer Science
• Principal Investigator: Rodolfo Jardim de Azevedo
• Grantee: Ricardo Edgard Caceffo
• Host Institution: Instituto de Computação (IC). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The Active Learning model advocates greater participation, motivation and collaborationbetween students in the teaching and learning environment. Usually, the Active Learningis supported by technology through the classroom response systems. In this environment,the teacher asks students multiple-choice questions, which are answered trough clickers,being the data organized by a software managed by the teacher. Despite the increasingdevelopment of technology, its use is still limited, not being considered important variablesrelated to the context, users history and the learning environment. In addition, itsapplication presented some problems, like the ones related to the distraction and attentionloss of the students. This thesis proposes a Ubiquitous Classroom Response System(UCRS), developed as a framework to support the Active Learning using mobile devices.The UCRS incorporates elements of ubiquitous computing like context awareness,location and historical analysis of users data, allowing the development of features thatadapt to the environment and needs of the participants. The UCRS further supportsthe Felder and Silverman Learning Styles Model (FSM), which states that each studenthas individual preferences in relation to perception, processing and manipulation of information.Part of the UCRS was implemented through software (LSQuiz). The LSQuizsupports a collaborative process in which the teacher submits a multiple-choice quiz tostudents, who may at any time ask for the help of other students. Then, the LSQuizanalyses context factors, like the location affinity among students, verifying which studentshould be invited to help. The LSQuiz was implemented and evaluated in a learningenvironment, being identified some issues, like the need for automatic students locationand specific changes in the collaborative process algorithm. In addition, it was found validthe assumption that Ubiquitous Computing enables a more effective way to support theActive Learning model, being the student?s autonomy a positive element in this process.Finally, was identified that it is not possible to assume the learning styles of studentsthrough their performance in the questionnaires. Thus, it is unfeasible the application ofthe FSM in this context.

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

CACEFFO, Ricardo Edgard. Architecture to support ubiquitous applications that enable the creation of an active learning environment in the classroom. 2015. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Instituto de Computação Campinas, SP.