Context aware services for smart learning environments

Abstract

This thesis describes a cost-effective infrastructure and implementation for building ubiquitous learning spaces. It uses techniques from the semantic web and ubiquitous computing to build a learner-centric service-based architecture to transform existing traditional learning spaces (e.g. classrooms, computer labs, meeting rooms, and hallways) into intelligent ambient learning environments. This is achieved by blending a number of inexpensive technologies which are optimally configured to provide services that can perceive learners' location and schedule, identify current learning activity, recommend learning resources, and enable effective real-time collaboration and resource sharing between learners and their instructors. These services are semantically defined using service policies based on a shared ontology and reasoning techniques, and the system is designed to dynamically adapt to fulfill technological needs in a variety of learning situations. The proposed system uses many patterns of formal, informal, and collaborative learning supported by a range of mobile and handheld computer devices to enable better instruction in various learning setups. A prototype system is designed and built, a few learning scenarios are presented, and some test case user feedback is provided to evaluate and analyze the system.