Title: Investigating user experiences with spatial and temporal context-aware applications to support mobile virtual learning environments

Authors: Laura Crane; Phillip Benachour; Paul Coulton

Addresses: School of Computing & Communication Systems, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK. ' School of Computing & Communication Systems, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK. ' School of Computing & Communication Systems, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK

Abstract: This paper describes the development and implementation of two mobile applications to investigate the use of time and location based systems for delivering information to mobile users. The user study consists of two RSS-based information retrieval widgets to support mobile learning within a higher education environment. The major function of both the mobile applications is to disseminate information surrounding course updates in a context of either time or space, aiming to identify if there is precedence between these two dimensions of context. Results from both quantitative and qualitative data indicate that both applications were evenly helpful for receiving information and both the applications were deemed equally unobtrusive in their personal space, although utilising location information was deemed a less comfortable form of ambient information.

Keywords: VLEs; virtual learning environments; location-based services; information retrieval; context awareness; user experiences; spatial applications; temporal applications; context-aware applications; mobile applications; time based systems; location based systems; information delivery; student courses; mobile users; RSS; really simple syndication; web feeds; widgets; higher education; universities; information dissemination; course updates; context dimensions; quantitative data; qualitative data; unobtrusiveness; personal space; location information; ambient information; Lancaster University; UK; United Kingdom; mobile learning; m-learning; online learning; e-learning; electronic learning; online learning; internet; world wide web.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMLO.2012.046881

International Journal of Mobile Learning and Organisation, 2012 Vol.6 No.1, pp.38 - 51

Published online: 23 Dec 2014 *

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