Title: Thinking outside the box – a vision of ambient learning displays

Authors: Dirk Börner; Marco Kalz; Marcus Specht

Addresses: Centre for Learning Sciences and Technologies, Open Universiteit in the Netherlands, Postbus 2960, 6401 DL Heerlen, The Netherlands. ' Centre for Learning Sciences and Technologies, Open Universiteit in the Netherlands, Postbus 2960, 6401 DL Heerlen, The Netherlands. ' Centre for Learning Sciences and Technologies, Open Universiteit in the Netherlands, Postbus 2960, 6401 DL Heerlen, The Netherlands

Abstract: With a focus on the situated support of informal and non-formal learning scenarios in ubiquitous learning environments, the presented paper outlines the authors' vision of ambient learning displays – enabling learners to view, access, and interact with contextualised digital content presented in an ambient way. The vision is based on a detailed exploration of the characteristics of ubiquitous learning and a deduction of informational, interactional, and instructional aspects to focus on. Towards the vision essential research questions and objectives as well as a conceptual framework that acquires, channels, and delivers the information framed in the learning process are presented. To deliver scientific insights into the authentic learning support in informal and non-formal learning situations and to provide suggestions for the future design of ambient systems for learning the paper concludes with a research agenda proposing a research project including a discussion of related issues and challenges.

Keywords: ambient learning displays; ubiquitous learning; u-learning; situated support; learning support; research agendas; contextualisation; outside the box; informal learning; non-formal learning; learning scenarios; learning environments; learners; contextualised content; digital content; learner access; learner interaction; informational aspects; interactional aspects; instructional aspects; learning processes; information acquisition; information delivery; scientific insights; ground-breaking ideas; technology enhanced learning.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTEL.2011.045450

International Journal of Technology Enhanced Learning, 2011 Vol.3 No.6, pp.627 - 642

Received: 04 May 2011
Accepted: 26 Oct 2011
Published online: 26 Feb 2015 *

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