Bahtijar Vogel

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.

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.

Reusability and Interoperability in Mobile Learning: A Study of Current Practices

The amount of software developed for educational purposes has steadily increased over the last years. A growing subset of these developments is intended for use in mobile devices. This puts special requirements on implementations that need to be overcome before mobile learning can be more widely adopted. In this paper we investigate how educational software development community can be encouraged to develop more sustainable and interoperable applications. This investigation is done by first surveying the different aspects of reuse to give a background and motivation. Then, a survey of current practice is performed. The survey provides initial insights into how reuse and interoperability is used in authentic practice. Findings indicate that there is much to be done in terms of interoperability and reuse for mobile learning applications. The result of this study confirms that two of the main challenges that developer of educational software in general and mobile learning in particular face is interoperability and reuse. Finally, some directions to overcome these challenges are proposed.

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.

Towards an Open Architecture Model for Web and Mobile Software: Characteristics and Validity Properties

Proprietary software solutions are extensively deployed through multiple platforms including desktop, web and mobile devices. Such systems are in many cases closed, thus making it difficult for software developers to expand and create additional features to these systems. Recent research in the field of web and mobile technologies indicates that open systems are more successful than those based on proprietary technologies. In this paper, we investigate and analyze existing research related to the notion of open architectures. We conducted a literature survey of the state of the art projects and definitions related to this concept. Our efforts have resulted in a refined definition of the term followed by a conceptual model of an open architecture contextualized within the field of web and mobile software. The model primarily relies on four key characteristics, namely flexibility, evolvability, customizability and extensibility. Furthermore, we present a validation plan based on the GQM approach that further instantiates these characteristics into a set of properties that can serve as metrics.

Architectural Concepts: Evolution of a Software System across Design and Implementation Stages in Dynamically Changing Environments

This paper presents the design, implementation and the overall lifecycle of a software system that includes mobile and web components and that evolved having the following aspects in mind: (1) System Requirements and Architectural Design, (2) System Implementation and Deployment, and (3) System Assessment and Usability Testing. During the three years of development efforts three software prototypes were implemented utilizing service-oriented approaches. These efforts have been tested with more than 200 users during this period. The outcomes of these activities led to the design and implementation of a system architecture that relies on service- oriented approaches and open standards. Moreover, extensive prototyping with incremental development stages helped to find the balance between the design and implementation of the system while reflecting to rapid changes of software and web- based technologies. Finally, user testing for assessment and testing of the software system were employed in order to cope with the dynamic user requirements. The main outcomes of the efforts described in this paper are presented and summarized in the form of Architectural Concepts that pave the way towards an open, extensible architecture.

Utilizing Gesture Based Interaction for Supporting Collaborative Explorations of Visualizations in TEL

In this paper, we present our efforts related to the implementation of the prototype that utilizes gesture based interaction for supporting collaborative explorations of visualizations in technology-enhanced learning activities. The prototype enables the visualization of different types of geo-tagged content and sensor data collected using mobile devices. In order to test the novelty and interactivity of our prototype we conducted a user testing study involving university students. The results of this study indicate that participants experienced this prototype as easy to use, with an acceptable overall level of satisfaction. Outcomes from this study show that gesture based interaction become useful when it comes to collaborative explorations of visualizations for supporting learning activities.