Title: Dedicated design and usability of a context-aware ubiquitous learning environment for developing receptive language skills: a case study

Authors: Gi-Zen Liu; Fan-Ray Kuo; Yen-Ru Shi; Yi-Wen Chen

Addresses: Department of Foreign Languages and Literature, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City, Taiwan ' Innovative Digital Content Research Center, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City, Taiwan ' Department of Information and Learning Technology, National University of Tainan, Tainan City, Taiwan ' Department of Foreign Languages and Literature, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City, Taiwan

Abstract: There has been little informal learning research concerning the issues and learning factors for students who are engaged in receptive language skills (reading and listening) development in a Context-Aware Ubiquitous Language Learning (CAULL) context. Therefore, the researchers first developed a CAULL environment for students to learn the surroundings of Cheng Kung Lake with the use of the handheld PDA, the wireless internet, and RFID readers and tags. There were three sections in the learning content about Cheng Kung Lake, including the reading units, scenario-based conversations, and RFID-generated Q&A in the reading and audio clips. Further, there were 47 intermediate-proficiency-level graduate students participating in this study. The results indicate that most students benefited from using this kind of CAULL and improved their receptive language skills, as well as demonstrate students' positive attitudes towards the implementation. Finally, design and development issues, affecting learning factors, problems and suggestions in such a CAULL environment were discussed.

Keywords: human-computer interface; HCI; interactive learning environments; context-aware ubiquitous learning; u-learning; language learning; informal learning; case study; mobile learning; m-learning; handheld PDAs; wireless internet; RFID; radio frequency identification; graduate students; higher education; receptive language skills.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMLO.2015.069717

International Journal of Mobile Learning and Organisation, 2015 Vol.9 No.1, pp.49 - 65

Received: 12 Sep 2014
Accepted: 17 Oct 2014
Published online: 29 May 2015 *

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