University Duisburg-Essen, GermanyWMUTE 2006 PDAs as Input Devices in Brainstorming and Creative Discussions Lars Bollen, Guillermo Juarez, Micha Westermann, H. Ulrich Hoppe University Duisburg-Essen, Germany Institute for Computer Science and Interactive Systems

University / 21 Agenda Functional Assignments Technical Issues Mobile Notes Scenarios First Experiences

University / 21 Functional Assignment Does it make sense to replicate every software on a PDA? -> concept of Functional Assignment

University / 21 Functional Assignment heterogenous devices in learning scenarios heterogenous learning tasks and teaching modes -> Different devices afford different functions (and vice versa!)

University / 21 Functional Asssignment whiteboard TabletPC desktop PC PDA smartphone data gathering textual input shared visual focus modeling ?...

University / 21 -> Mobile Notes framework and application to support discussions with mobile devices using PDAs only as input devices for textual contributions leaving moderation / arranging with the teachers desktop PC leaving a shared visualisation with the classrooms video projection

University / 21 System OverviewDatabase Freestyler Clients All the communication is buffered in a database

University / 21 Benefits of Buffered Communication asynchronous/ quasi-synchronous messaging persistent storage robust easy to replace posterior analysis

University / 21 Problems with Mobile Devices Implicit slow CPU memory limited input methods screen size Derived from Market no standards heterogenous devices lack of tools

University / 21 Our Approach create abstraction layer on top of every platform standard programming language VM/compiler for every arquitecture tools for rapid development OpenEmbedded linux metadistribution GNU Classpath: open source java libraries free Java VM's

University / 21 Architecture

University / 21 Mobile Notes

University / 21 Mobile Notes

University / 21 Mobile Notes -different input modes: -text, handwritten notes, votings -states of contributions: -active (can be linked) / non-active (cannot be linked) -link contributions: -neutral, pro, contra, question

University / 21 Mobile Notes moderation (optional) -teacher / moderator can collect contributions for later usage / evaluation / filtering

University / 21 Scenarios Brainstorming –moderator creates an initial topic to be referenced –oarticipants can freely brainstorm without being influenced / disturbed / hindered –Moderator can select and group contributions for further discussions

University / 21 Scenarios Teacher presentation –teacher prepares presentation and opens some topics for discussion –comments / questions are available for later usage –teacher does not get interrupted –comments do not get lost

University / 21 Scenarios Test questions –easily pose questions to students at end of lessons (using the voting tool) –honest answers for certain questions are more likely when anonymous –question can be reused as a starting point in next lesson

University / 21 First Experiences Big Issues in Mobile Learning Workshop, Nottingham, UK, June 2006

University / 21 First Experiences used in seminars in University Duisburg-Essen –useful for certain kinds of scenarios –very useful for brainstorming –less useful for discussions usage of handwritten notes depends on content and personal preferences general usability is high; students without experience in PDA usage performed well

University / 21 Outlook technical changes –implement PDA application in C# to adress even more devices (e.g. WinCE smartphones) –change in middleware (SQLSpaces instead of MySQL database) outdoor scenarios empirical evaluation