Implementing and Validating a Mobile Learning Scenario Using Contextualized Learning Objects

Abstract

Substantial research in the field of mobile learning has explored aspects related to contextualized learning scenarios. Nevertheless, the current context of a mobile learner has been often limited to his/her current position, neglecting the possibilities offered by modern mobile devices of providing a much richer representation of the current learner´s context. In this paper, we show that a detailed contextualization of the learner may provide benefits in mobile learning scenarios. In order to validate this claim, we implemented a mobile learning scenario based on an approach that allows for a very rich and detailed contextualization of the mobile learner. The scenario that we implemented allowed exchange students to be guided at Linnaeus University in Växjö, Sweden in order to get familiar with the campus and prominent institutions on it. We carried out a study including two groups; one that performed learning activities with contextualization support and one other without it. The results of our evaluation showed significantly better results for the contextualized approach, especially with respect to the acceptance of the Perceived Ease of Use.