Title: Establishing a mobile blog system in a distance education environment

Authors: Teemu H. Laine, Jarkko Suhonen

Addresses: Department of Computer Science and Statistics, University of Joensuu, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland. ' Department of Computer Science and Statistics, University of Joensuu, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland

Abstract: Distance-learning programs often encounter problems with student motivation and performance. In the Virtual Studies of Computer Science (ViSCoS) program, these problems stem partly from lack of learning community. Furthermore, distance learning is not always location- and time-agnostic. ViSCoS Mobile is an m-learning extension to ViSCoS that frees students to study anywhere and anytime. We present the first design, implementation and evaluation of a mobile blog system Advanced Postman for ViSCoS. Preliminary testing of the system indicated that moblogs can be used successfully as a reporting tool on a programming project course. The results are applicable to any distance-learning program.

Keywords: mobile blogs; moblogs; Virtual Studies of Computer Science; ViSCoS; mobile learning; m-learning; distance learning; ubiquitous learning; e-learning.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMLO.2008.019766

International Journal of Mobile Learning and Organisation, 2008 Vol.2 No.2, pp.149 - 165

Published online: 30 Jul 2008 *

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