Authors:
Anandha Gopalan
1
;
Spyridon Karavanis
2
;
Thomas Payne
3
and
Morris Sloman
1
Affiliations:
1
Imperial College London, United Kingdom
;
2
Hellenic Army, Greece
;
3
Island Studios, United Kingdom
Keyword(s):
Virtual learning environment, Mobile learning, e-Learning, Voice-based framework.
Related
Ontology
Subjects/Areas/Topics:
Collaborative Learning
;
Computer-Supported Education
;
Distance and e-Learning in a Global Context
;
e-Learning
;
e-Learning Platforms
;
Information Technologies Supporting Learning
;
Mobile Information Systems
;
Mobile Learning
;
Simulation and Modeling
;
Simulation Tools and Platforms
;
Social Context and Learning Environments
;
Ubiquitous Learning
;
Virtual Learning Environments
;
Web Information Systems and Technologies
Abstract:
Children often attend schools intermittently in rural areas in Africa and India due to socio-economic conditions which make pupils augment their family income by working. An e-Learning solution could aid in raising the level of education by making it easier for children to fit schoolwork into the day, acting as a complement to when they are able to attend school. Traditional distance learning solutions based on computers are not suitable due to lack of infrastructure support. In this paper, we evaluate both text and voice based smartphone prototype environments which could provide the tools and services for pupils to download educational content, interact with teachers as well as other pupils to discuss topics. These have been implemented as a proof-ofconcept and the initial evaluation feedback, although not from target users, was very promising. We intend to re-implement the prototype and do a proper evaluation with rural-area school children.