Arianit Kurti

Integrating Mobile, Web and Sensory Technologies to Support Inquiry-Based Science Learning

Recent advances in mobile, wireless, and sensor technologies provide new possibilities for supporting learning activities that can be spatially distributed and incorporate different physical and environmental sensory data. In this paper, we present our technical efforts in relation to the design and implementation of mobile and web applications that integrate sensory data used to support inquiry-based science learning. In order to test the validity of our solution and its functionality and novelty, we conducted a prototype experiment with high school students in the field of environmental sciences. The initial outcomes presented in this paper point towards the potential benefits of using sensor and mobile technologies with real-time geo-positioned data and visualizations, which may increase students’ engagement, enabling them to conduct scientific inquiries and analyses in new ways.

Designing Innovative Learning Activities Using Ubiquitous Computing

In this paper we present our pedagogical and technological approach for supporting the design of novel situated learning activities that can be conducted both, outside the school and in the classroom. One main goal is to enhance the content of the curricula by bringing multimedia resources and mobile support to outdoor settings thus enriching the field experience. In order to illustrate these ideas we describe the outcomes of a trial we have conducted with thirty elementary school children. Moreover, we present the ubiquitous computing solutions we developed in order to support learning activities in the field of history. The results of our experiments indicate that children enjoyed learning in these kinds of environments where mobile devices are used in situ, thus supporting the learning activities in the context of which they are taking place.

Cross-Platform Mobile Development : Challenges and Opportunities

Mobile devices and mobile computing have made tremendous advances and become ubiquitous in the last few years. As a result, the landscape has become seriously fragmented which brings lots of challenges for the mobile development process. Whilst native approach of mobile development still is the predominant way to develop for a particular mobile platform, recently there is shifting towards cross-platform mobile development as well. In this paper, we have performed a survey of the literature to see the trends in cross-platform mobile development over the last few years. With the result of the survey, we argue that the web-based approach and in particular, hybrid approach, of mobile development serves the best for cross-platform development. The results of this work indicate that even though cross platform tools are not fully matured they show great potential. Thus we consider that cross-platform development offers great opportunities for rapid development of high-fidelity prototypes of the mobile application.

A cross-platform software system to create and deploy mobile mashups

Changes in usage patterns of mobile services are continuously influenced by the enhanced features of mobile devices and software applications. Current cross-platform frameworks that allow the implementation of advanced mobile applications have triggered recent developments in relation to end-user mobile services and mobile mashups creation. Inspired by these latest developments, this paper presents our current development related to a cross-platform software system that enables the creation of mobile mashups within an end-user programming environment.

An Interactive Web-Based Visualization Tool in Action: User Testing and Usability Aspects

In this paper, we present our efforts in relation to the evaluation of an interactive web-based visualization tool developed for supporting environmental sciences learning. The tool enables the visualization of different types of geo-tagged content and sensor data collected using mobile devices. It also utilizes APIs that provide multiple visual representations of the data set. These representations allow users to actively interact with graphs, maps, images, and data tables. In order to test the usability, novelty and interactivity of our web-based visualization tool, we have conducted a study involving university students in the field of teaching environmental sciences. The results and analysis of the user testing indicate that the tools usability and performance were satisfactory. Outcomes from the user testing have resulted in a number of concrete suggestions for further enhancement and improvements of our visualization tool in relation to application functionality, navigation and interaction.

Enhancing Emerging Learning Objects with Contextual Metadata Using the Linked Data Approach

The latest developments in mobile technologies have increased the possibility for users to generate digital content at any location and time. In this paper we present our current research efforts related to the ability to enhance digital content that emerge when mobile devices are used to support different learning activities. We believe that these emerging learning objects should be enriched with contextual characteristics in a machine interoperable and interpretable manner in order to preserve the meaning, or semantics, of those features. There are a number of approaches to address this problem but in the present article we focus on exploring the potential added value of using Linked Data to depict emerging learning objects with contextual metadata. Our preliminary findings indicate that Linked Data offers a flexible approach for supporting important aspects of digital content related to data linkage, data merge and semantic interoperability.

Design for Sustainability = Runtime Adaptation ∪ Evolution

Continuous change changes everything; it introduces various uncertainties, which may harm the sustainability of software systems. We argue that integrating runtime adaptation and evolution is crucial for the sustainability of software systems. Realising this integration calls for a radical change in the way software is developed and operated. Our position is that we need to Design for Sustainability. To that end, we present: (i) the AdEpS model (Adaptation and Evolution processes for Sustainability) to handle and mitigate uncertainties by means of integrating runtime adaptation and evolution, and (ii) a set of engineering principles to design software systems that facilitate the application of the AdEpS model to build sustainable software.

Exploring the benefits of open standard initiatives for supporting inquiry-based science learning

Mobile devices combined with sensor technologies provide new possibilities for embedding inquiry-based science learning activities in authentic settings. These technologies rely on various standards for data exchange what makes the development of interoperable mobile and sensor-based applications a challenging task. In this paper, we present our technical efforts related to how to leverage data interoperability using open standards. To validate the potential benefits of this approach, we developed a prototype implementation and conducted a trial with high school students in the field of environmental science. The initial results indicate the potential benefits of using open standards for data exchange in order to support the integration of various technological resources and applications.

Augmenting requirements gathering for people with special needs using IoT: a position paper

Requirements gathering are an important aspect of application development, especially when users are people with special needs. Traditionally, this process is being conducted using conventional methods, such as interviews, workshops and questionnaires. These approaches, however, are unable to grasp the full context when collecting data from the communities of people with special needs, mainly because of the difficult access to participants and incomprehensiveness of the data gathered. To mitigate such issues, in this position paper, we argue that existing traditional methods could be complemented by means of Internet of Things. The immense amount of data gathered from various devices interconnected could help generate meaningful data that will complement the usually insufficient amount collected using traditional methods. This new approach is, however, associated with challenges that are discussed along with a possible scenario on how data complementing from traditional and the indirect method could be done.

Accessibility requirements for blind and visually impaired in a regional context: An exploratory study

At the time when we are debating the Internet as a human right, an access to basic online information is a challenge for blind and visually impaired community. Steps taken for their digital inclusion, such as, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are often insufficient. In this paper we present initial requirements gathered during three workshops organized with various stakeholders coming from three different countries. Initial results suggest that the context of use and the cultural dimension play a crucial role in making digital content accessible for this community. Additionally, a one-solution-fits-all model is inadequate without considering levels of visual impairment when providing customized Web and mobile experience. Finally, we lay out challenges that with comprehensive requirements gathering in the future, could address various problems that blind and visually impaired face.