1. projectBluetooth: Supporting the Mobile Generation
Dr. Chris Dennett

2. Introduction What is Bluetooth …In Context …Blueshoot …In Practice
…Issues
…The next generation

3. What is Bluetooth? License free radio communication standard
Hardware and Software specifications
Designed for short range Ad Hoc networking
Allows for a wide variety of inter-device communications
It’s free to use and basic hardware costs are minimal
Safe to use!
ISM band

4. projectBluetooth – In Context
Mobile
Opportunistic learning: Students have access to learning materials whenever, wherever
Richer transmission technology than SMS
Not just full colour. Sound, video, interactive, slides, programs…
Cheap transmission technology
projectBluetooth can be implemented for a tenner and costs nothing to run (except for electricity!)

5. projectBluetooth - Blueshoot
Bluetooth ‘hub’
Module leaders have control
Constantly searches for registered student devices
Transmits
Learning objects
Pastoral information
Anything really!!!

6. projectBluetooth - Blueshoot
Can transmit to any detected device…
…or to pre-selected groups

7. projectBluetooth - Blueshoot
Allows live creation of messages for immediate transmission…
… but can also upload previous messages or RLOs

8. projectBluetooth - in Practice
LINK project
CELT and Graduate School funded
Mobile Architectures module – Covers mobile radio technologies
Distribution of student-reversioned materials
Idea is to provoke students to reflect and research

9. projectBluetooth - in Practice
LINK Project cont’d
Distribution and development of revision questions and material by student groups
Intention is to encourage collaborative learning
Transmission of exam revision questions…
… and answers after a while
Allows revision-on-the-go

10. projectBluetooth - in Practice
HEA-ICS project : Blue-ICS
Pastoral information transmitted to students
Lecture cancellations, room changes, exam timetables
CELT Podcasting
Transmission of audio podcasts to newly enrolled students who need an IT account to enrol on course modules

11. projectBluetooth - in Practice
Conference version
Trialled at e-Learning Africa
Led to interest in it’s use for other EDUCA conferences. Berlin, Moscow…

12. Issues Speed of transmission Size of transmission
Not just slow…
Can students save it on their devices
Size of device screens
Small and varied
Capabilities of devices
Can they handle PDFs? JPEGS? Text files?
Coverage

13. projectBluetooth – V2
New mobile phones have started to come with Bluetooth EDR
3 times as fast as 1.2
Uses half the power of 1.2
Video!!!
Coverage
Multiple Blueshoot hubs using Efika
AWM On the buses
with Prof. Andy Sloane
Birmingham Science City puts projectBluetooth in public. Local adverts.