What technology
has done more to
destroy human
community than
any other?
Could it be the portable book?
PCs in your Pocket
Antelope Modular
Computing Platform
Amida Simputer
Sony Vaio
PCGU1
Sony Vaio VGN 170
The Virtual Keyboard
New Generation
Sony Mylo
Apple iPhone
New Generation
Flipstart
OQO
Mobile with Moodle
Palm Treo 650
 Palm OS with 10 Mb RAM
 28 Mb ROM
 Email
 Organizer
 Web browser
 Screen size: 320 X 320 pixels
Blazer Browser





XHTML
CSS 1
Javascript
Cookies
Some SSL connexions
Moodle 1.5.3 Layout
• Three columns rendered as one column
• “Fluid” layout design NOT “fixed”
• Use “float” positioning (set width as %)
• Avoid BLOCK elements & BLOCK positioning
• Frames work well in Moodle
• Sans serif fonts work best - default
http://download.moodle.org/modules
Best Practices
• Object & embed
• Flash
• Audio
• Video
• Images
• Background colour
Conclusion
Moodle can be implemented on mobile
devices
BUT
Course developers need to understand the
limitations
Javascript modules do not work
Limited interactivity is possible
Background




SCIS all courses on Moodle
Research emphasis on mobile learning
Moodle at AU is not yet mobile-friendly
Research findings, support giving students
the option to use mobile devices.
#1 “Would you like to take other courses
or units using mobile devices?”


80% favourable (convenience & portability)
Most would primarily use a PC with PDA as
alternative
#2 “Is it very useful having access to
course materials from a mobile device?”



88 % Agreed or Strongly Agreed
88% used a desktop with some use of a
handheld
most requested: forums, quizzes, and
assignments
The Student View
The Student logs in
through myAU
Regular View
Mobile View
The Course Link in
myAU takes the
student to Moodle
Regular View
Mobile View
Moodle links
to content
in an
outside
CMS
Regular View
Mobile
View
The server detects the device and delivers the
appropriate style sheet
Future Plans and Considerations
 Focus on basics of moving to Moodle
 Update AU websites, including Moodle
 Future in peer-to-peer applications.
Purpose of Project

Develop and test innovative approaches
to English as a Second Language (ESL)
learning using mobile devices to deliver
ESL lessons and allowing practice with
feedback using a variety of testing
methods
Student Preference for Question
Type
Student opinion poll about whether a question type is suitable for
mobile devices
True/False, 93%
Multiple Choice,
75%
Word Ordering, 47%
Matching, 18%
Multiple Choice
True/False
Matching
Word Ordering
Pre-test
vs Post-test vs Retention
A Comparison of the Pre-test (1), Post-test (2), and
Test scores
Retention Test (3)
20
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
1
2
Tests
3
Flexibility to Learn Anywhere and Anytime
The technology provides flexibility for m e to learn anyw here
and at anytim e
4%
0%
4%
2%
34%
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
No Response
56%
Quality of Learning
Learning with mobile technology increases the
quality of my learning experience
2%
4%
4%
17%
Strongly Agree
Agree
21%
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
No Response
52%
Take Other Lessons Using Mobile Devices
I would like to take other lessons using mobile
technology
6%
0%
15%
13%
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
21%
Strongly Disagree
No Response
45%
Student Feedback on the Use
of Mobile Technology





Students reported positive experience with
course & mobile technology
a good supplementary medium of learning
Convenient waiting for the bus or being on
the bus or whenever there is some spare time
flexibility anytime availability
concern about cost of Internet access
Suggestions for Future
Delivery




audio
more examples
more interaction with teachers on
mobiles
Larger screen size for ease of reading
Acknowledgements
The research team would like to thank the
following organizations for supporting this
project.
The Canadian Council of Learning
Athabasca University
Alberta Science and Research Authority
Canada Foundation for Innovation
Canadian Virtual University
National Adult Literacy Database
Toys?
Sony Playstation
Mac Mini
iPod
Gizmondo
= 2 jiffies or 200 milliseconds