Employing Ubiquitous Computing Devices and Technologies in the Higher Education Classroom of the Future

Abstract This paper explores the utilization of “pervasive” or “ubiquitous” computing devices and technologies in the higher education classroom of the future. Firstly, a survey on the characteristics and the applications of today's ubiquitous computing devices is presented, along with a questioning on the level of their ubiquity. Such devices include smartphones, PDAs, Tablet PCs, iPods, as well as reading appliances, Pad-type appliances, interactive whiteboards and telepresence boards. Multiple network connections such as cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC, provide long-, medium-, or short-range wireless communication for different mobile devices. In the following, we investigate how innovative ubiquitous computing devices and technologies can be employed in education learning environments to enhance active learning by anyone, anytime and anywhere, as well as to enable blended learning, individually and collaboratively. A representative use case is presented to reveal the new possibilities for learning that a classroom equipped with ubiquitous computing devices can offer to students. Interviews with experts helped us to give proposals on the utilization of the advantages of ubiquitous computing technology in the higher education classroom of the future.

[1]  P. Hartvigsen.  The Computer for the 21st Century (1991) , 2014 .

[2]  Damianos P. Sakas,et al.  The Dimension of Communication in the Merger: Simulation with Dynamic Model , 2008 .

[3]  D. S. Vlachos,et al.  Simulated annealing for optimal ship routing , 2012, Comput. Oper. Res..

[4]  Toshio Okamoto,et al.  Adaptive Content Delivery in Ubiquitous Learning Environment , 2010, 2010 6th IEEE International Conference on Wireless, Mobile, and Ubiquitous Technologies in Education.

[5]  Panagiotis Trivellas,et al.  Organisational culture, job satisfaction and higher education service quality , 2009 .

[6]  Joung-Souk Sung.  U-Learning Model Design Based on Ubiquitous Environment , 2010 .

[7]  Damianos P. Sakas,et al.  Contribution of the Executives in Bank Sector Mergers: Application with a Simulation Model , 2008 .

[8]  Damianos P. Sakas,et al.  The strategy of stakeholder briefing during merger negotiation in the bank market , 2009 .

[9]  Marina C. Terzi,et al.  Marketing Dynamic Simulation Modelling in High Tech Laboratories , 2011 .

[10]  D. S. Vlachos,et al.  Partitioned Linear Multistep Method for Long Term Integration of the N‐Body Problem , 2004 .

[11]  Damianos P. Sakas,et al.  Fuzzy Constraint Based Model for Efficient Management of Dynamic Purchasing Environments , 2008 .

[12]  Suzanne Rivard,et al.  The Strategic Role of Information Technology Sourcing: a Dynamic Capabilities Perspective , 2010, ICIS.

[13]  Diana Laurillard,et al.  Foreward to Researching Mobile Learning: Frameworks, tools and research designs , 2009 .

[14]  Hiroaki Ogata,et al.  Context-aware support for computer-supported ubiquitous learning , 2004, The 2nd IEEE International Workshop on Wireless and Mobile Technologies in Education, 2004. Proceedings..

[15]  Mark Weiser.  The computer for the 21st century , 1991 .

[16]  Damianos P. Sakas,et al.  Outsourcing or Insourcing in the High Technology Systems Sector in a Maritime Company , 2011 .

[17]  Ieda M. Santos,et al.  Switching Gears: Moving from e-Learning to m-Learning , 2010 .

[18]  R. Hildebrand,et al.  TABLETS AS TOOLS FOR M-LEARNING: A TECHNOLOGICAL ASPECTS REFLECTION , 2012 .

[19]  Damianos P. Sakas,et al.  THE VARIABLE OF COMMUNICATION IN THE FRANCHISE RELATIONSHIPS , 2010 .

[20]  Damianos P. Sakas,et al.  Selecting the Project Teams’ Members. A Challenging Human Resources Management Process for Laboratory Research , 2011 .

[21]  S. Richards.  U-LEARNING: GOING BEYOND MOBILE LEARNING TO UBIQUITOUS LEARNING , 2012 .

[22]  Luvai Motiwalla,et al.  Mobile learning: A framework and evaluation , 2007, Comput. Educ..

[23]  Mary Baker,et al.  Pervasive Tabs, Pads, and Boards: Are We There Yet? , 2012, IEEE Pervasive Computing.

[24]  Jules White,et al.  Smartphone Computing in the Classroom , 2011, IEEE Pervasive Computing.

[25]  Kostas Kolomvatsos.  Ubiquitous Computing Applications in Education , 2007 .

[26]  Damianos P. Sakas,et al.  The Performance Management after Mergers and Acquisitions in High Technology Manufacturing Business , 2011 .

[27]  Stephen J. H. Yang,et al.  Context Aware Ubiquitous Learning Environments for Peer-to-Peer Collaborative Learning , 2006, J. Educ. Technol. Soc..

[28]  Jun Hyung Jo,et al.  Ubiquitous learning environment: An adaptive teaching system using ubiquitous technology , 2004 .

[29]  Damianos P. Sakas,et al.  The Role of Leadership in High Tech Manufacturing Companies in a Changing Environment , 2011 .

[30]  Jan Herrington,et al.  Design principles for mobile learning , 2009 .

[31]  Marina C. Terzi,et al.  Pricing Strategy Dynamic Simulation Modelling within the High-Tech Sector , 2011 .

[32]  Damianos P. Sakas,et al.  Adaptive Neural Networks for Automatic Negotiation , 2008 .

[33]  Marguerite Koole,et al.  A Model for Framing Mobile Learning , 2009 .

[34]  Theodore E. Simos,et al.  A fifth algebraic order trigonometrically-fitted modified runge-kutta zonneveld method for the numerical solution of orbital problems , 2005, Math. Comput. Model..

[35]  Gwo-Jen Hwang,et al.  Criteria, Strategies and Research Issues of Context-Aware Ubiquitous Learning , 2008, J. Educ. Technol. Soc..

[36]  Cathleen Norris,et al.  Handhelds: Getting Mobile. , 2008 .

[37]  Diane J. Cook,et al.  Pervasive computing at scale: Transforming the state of the art , 2012, Pervasive Mob. Comput..

[38]  Damianos P. Sakas,et al.  Adaptive Techniques for Online Auctions , 2008 .

[39]  Des Casey.  u-Learning = e-Learning + m-Learning , 2005 .