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Proceedings of the 2011 ASEE Northeast Section Annual Conference
University of Hartford
Copyright © 2011, American Society for Engineering Education
DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF HILOLOGICAL PROTOTYPES FOR
MOBILE COLLABORATIVE LEARNING (MCL)
1
Abdul Razaque
2
Khaled Elliethy
1
arazaque@bridgeport.edu
2
elleithy@bridgeport.edu
Department of Computer Science and Engineering
University of Bridgeport, USA
Abstract:
Collaborative learning is becoming more
attentive approach within all educational
environments. With new emerging technologies
on mobile devices, collaborative learning has
grown in popularity to be able to boost the
pedagogical learning model in nomadic
environments.
This paper describes theoretical
and technical foundations for designing and
developing an effective Mobile collaborative
learning (MCL) environment. The focus of this
paper is to suggest the client and server based
prototypes with support of functional
components and working procedures, which help
the user to get contents from server to meet the
pedagogical needs. We have also proposed novel
concept of integrating the features of
content-server with cache-server, which helps
the users to obtain the fast contents for MCL
process. Our proposed prototypes will provide
best MCL environment particularly for those
students who do not want to attend the
institutions but want to learn at homes and
working places through mobiles. Finally, we
propose new application named "group" with
complete prototype design and development to
facilitate the students for obtaining the contents
for collaboration. Some valuable
recommendations are also suggested to
incorporate with "group” in Android operating
system (OS) and we also implement some part of
group application.
General Terms
Theory, Design, Development.
Keywords
Mobile collaborative learning (MCL)
Environment, Optimization of architecture,
Client & Server side Prototypes for collaboration,
Mobile device.
INTRODUCTION
The trend of competition has been growing rapidly
in global market with advent and deployment of new
technologies. The leading companies have spent their
maximum efforts for introducing human-friendly
product. From other side, the demand of people has
always been in search of magical device to maximize
benefits and utilize their minimum amount for
collaboration. The latest technological evolution is
the emergence of mobile wireless communication
technology. Mobile phones are only cheaper hand
held device, which we can carry and use whole day
everywhere. With incorporation of emerging
technologies in mobile devices; such as motion
sensors, cameras, Global positioning System (GPS),
Infra-Red, Bluetooth and GSM supported by
broadband connections, which make the mobile as
attractive tool to complete the demand for
collaborative learning (CL). mobile devices provide
the rich features like Memo diary, Address book,
Reminder, To-Do list, Alarm ,E-mail ,WAP Enabled,
Calculator, Audio player, Video player, Flash Player,
Real player etc. Mobile devices are also more flexible
to integrate the existing services by employing web
based interface. The applications developed for
mobiles can provide geo-location, motion recognition,
history of activities and academic profile of user
[6] .mobile devices are easy to use due to designed
menus in form of text, graphics and icons. Each
individual can easily identify the associated functions.
Navigation control buttons and touch screen provide
a better user graphical interface suited for CL. The
concept of mobile-based learning is completely
different from classroom-based learning method.
This pedagogical method of learning provides many
possibilities, such as providing the opportunities to
group of persons, working in same or different
organizations to participate for accomplishment of
specific goal. Now-a-days Collaboration has been
getting more importance in educational environment.
The focus of collaborative learning has been
implanted from elementary to higher educational
institutions. The demand of collaboration Learning
has been increasing due to launching the joint
projects. For example, University of Northwestern
has started "Oncofertility Consortium program" with
support of Oregon Health and Science University,
University of Pennsylvania and University of
California for San Diego. This program addresses the
medical improvement reforms for cancer- patients by
initiating new detection and diagnosing methods. The
launched mechanism of health care also tackles the
issues of young infected cancer patients. The
consortium brings various professional together by
using Breeze and H.323-based video conferencing
protocols. Latest study shows that mobile
collaborative learning environment (MCL) is highly
focused paradigm for research particularly in distance
and online education. MCL provides advanced
features and necessary functionalities for all
participants to obtain the knowledge in open, large
scale, dynamic and heterogeneous environments.
However, some of major challenges are raised in
developing MCLE for education such as knowledge
sharing, request for modified contents, fully access to
enterprise data warehouse, delivery of large rich
multimedia contents (Video-on-demand), selection of
technological components in designing appropriate
architecture and application protocol. To overcome
these issues, we propose linguistic client and server
based prototypes to improve knowledge sharing
process; and provide access for all users to enterprise
data warehouse, have content-modification facility at
later stage and delivery of large rich multimedia
contents. Our contribution will make it easier for
students to gain some sort information and feedback
through MCL.
2. Related Work
In this section, we discuss the salient features of
related published work. Xiaoyong Su et al.[1]
propose the four layer framework for multimedia
content generation and prototype for multimedia
mobile collaborative system. the proposed
framework provides support for user, device and
session management. They claim that mobile
collaborative environment could be possible by
upgrading the devices and network technologies. The
work is interesting but framework is not completely
elaborated and lacks incorporation of many
components, which are necessary for such type of
framework. Our work is based on four layers
architectures and removes the shortcomings found in
architecture and optimizes [1]. and proposes the
prototype to support the architecture in Mobile
collaborative learning environment. Vladimir Zanev
and Rodney Clark [2] provide development process
of prototype concept for wireless course management
system. and highlights login and authentication,
wireless syllabus, wireless calendar and wireless
testing. It also gives the description of course contents
and tells how the teacher can interact with students by
using HTML based interface. Lahner F and
Nosekabel H [3] have implemented the program in
University of Regensburg, Germany, which supports
e-learning contents to be displayed on mobiles. The
structure of system provides the facility to users to get
same contents via mobiles. limitations of data transfer
and Shortcomings of screen size have been
controlled with some extend by providing the facility
to students to personalize information. Mildard
Marcelo et al. [4] have designed C-note in University
of Vaxjo, Sweden. C-note provides opportunity to
collaborate for storing the notes and information in
database on their progressive project. The specialized
C-Pen is used to scan the project research material
with support of C-note application. Finally the
scanned information is stored in database and teacher
can check the performed activities of each group in
collaboration. Jorge Bardosa et al.[7] proposed the
prototype for undergraduate course of reference
(nicknamed GRefe) by using mobile and ubiquitous
computing. Authors claim in [7] that their proposed
approach will improve academic and learning
activities. The prototype is based on user profile
which stores the information regarding learning
process. the second is location system, which is used
to identify the physical location of user supported by
generic architecture. third is personnel Assistant (PA),
which resides in the mobile. Fourth is learning object
repository, which stores the contents, related with the
process of pedagogical teaching. Fifth is message
sending system to be controlled automatically or
using administrative interface by operators. Final
component is Tutor that searches learning
opportunities. The proposed prototype does not
provide the mobile collaborative learning and this is
only generic idea of online learning. Allision Druin et
al. [5] have discussed the prototype for their ongoing
participatory design project with intergenerational
design group to create mobile application and
integrate into iP Phone and ipod touch platforms.
They claim that designed application can provide the
opportunities to bring the children and grand parents
together by reading and editing the books. Ch. Bouras
et al. in [1] have introduced INVITE Architecture and
discussed the user's requirements to meet the demand
of e-learning in collaborative virtual environment.
They have also talked about the technology and
standards required for designing the INVITE; the
concept is interesting but lacks completion. It does
not lead to existence of any solid prototype. Our
client and server based prototypes provide smooth
transaction of data exchange for Collaborative
learning environment. These prototypes give the
information regarding the course materials, easy
access to check the grades and use of labs. The
application running on this architecture can give
substantial feedback for collaboration such as
exchange of delivery of communication contents
include platform for group discussion, short message
service (SMS), Emails, audio and video-on-demand
to offer on-line information to students who are the
part of collaboration. Testing and assignments
procedures can be conducted. Teachers also pass the
instructions to group at same time.
3. Prototype Design of MCL at server side
At the server side, Content server is core component
of Content generation layer shown in figure: 1 with
architectural design, which is based on content server
engine (CSE). Content server keeps on watching the
interface (folder) whether new request from client
side is received or not. If new request is arrived then it
is displayed on website through template. Hence
writer, system operator (administrator of a multi-user
computer system) and rest of team members are
informed through email. The Content server forwards
the content requested messages to CSE. Engine is
implemented on Internet Information server (Web
server). The function of engine is to receive URLs
(Request of client for contents), checks and triggers
(Stored Procedures) process the requests. First, CSE
sends the request to authentication tool (AT) to verify
the status of the client, AT saves the profiles of
legitimate clients and checks the client in client
profile, If Illegitimate client sends the request for
getting the contents for collaboration that requested
contents are declined and intimated about the status
of client to CSE. If client is legitimate, the request for
content is forwarded through storage drivers of CSE
to communicate with storage medium. CSE can save
and get data from either database driver or file system
driver. These both database and file system drivers
forward the request to the Database Manager GUI
and Database Manger CLI. Single CSE can support to
many storage mediums.To obtain the contents fast.
We propose HTTP client and integrate with CSE.
At the server side, we also introduce the Cache server,
which has feature of setting up its own hyper text
transfer protocol (HTTP) connection. The cache
server gets the request from HTTP client and delivers
the requested contents immediately; if they are
already cached on server, otherwise forwards the
client's incoming request to other servers because
Cache server has direct access to other servers for
getting the requested contents. We have another
advantage of cache server because we do not need
backups and log monitoring. Database Manager CLI
tool creates monitors, manages backups and restore
the instance of database. This tool supports to
interactive and background operations. We can access
the database Manager CLI tool by using Java, C++,
XML and other languages. This tool helps to create
the programming interfaces, Module and
documentation. Database Manger GUI tool functions
like Database Manager CLI but provides more
features such as updating database software,
diagnosis options and displaying information.
Database Manager GUI also supports different
featured mobile devices, which are located at
different places because supporting feature of GUI
can provide friendly user-based interface to remote
mobile devices for collaboration.
Figure 1: Architecture Prototype of MCL at server
side
GUI and CLI help to store and extract the contents
forwarded from Database or file system drivers by
using different repositories. Content repositories get
the requested content message from GUI and CLI and
search the requested contents in storage devices of
content management system (CMS). The content
repositories are also part of CMS, which supports and
functions like logical storage for different storage
devices. The Repository can also be helpful to store
different kind of contents in single repository table
such as comments, articles, questions, answers, news,
tutorials. So, we can switch from Rep
1
to Rep
n
in
single table for finding the requested contents easily
for collaboration. We can also monitor the
performance of each repository with their respective
servers shown in figure 2.
Figure2: Function of Server with Repository
4. Prototype Design of MCL at Client side
The contents obtained by single mobile client shown
in figure: 3, can be shared with group of mobile nodes
by using the Feed Demon or Net News Wire software.
These softwares are supported with mobile Really
Simple Syndication (RSS) 2.0 software. The RSS
creates RSS feed (which are online resources). The
RSS feed is storage area, where handheld devices
(clients) store the contents obtained from server side
for collaboration. We should use RSS aggregator with
integration of video aggregator. The advantages of
using these aggregators are to get information from
various online sources (RSS feed) and store onto it.
The deployment of video aggregator; on-line video
can be collected and sorted out for RSS feed. The
Apple iphone is best choice for MCL but needed Lite
feed RSS reader. Lite feed has an efficient utility for
compressing the file, cache and having the fast access
to attain the feeds. Lite feed also provides good
features in hand held devices to view the whole article,
sharing the information and clipping the buzz net
photos and flicker.
Figure 3: Client received the requested contents from
server side
Bit-Torrent based peer-to-peer applications can also
support mobile RSS 2.0, which permit the client
applications to download the files automatically.
Fo-Cus application also helps the handheld device
(client) to obtain RSS contents from web (RSS
aggregator) to display on the screen of hand held
devices. with use of RSS 2.0, the shared information
can be downloaded on other client’s mobile to use
for collaboration. Mobile RSS supports audio and
video updating. The idea of introduction the specific
RSS aggregators can resolve the issue of MCL in
education because RSS software is positive approach
for making the blog [8]. RSS reader software can
check the client’s subscribed feeds. It also produces
the user friendly interface. Each participating client
should be assigned separate feed. RSS 2.O can also
assist to read and monitor the feeds. If single client
gets the requested contents from server side, which
will be saved onto the respective RSS feed in order to
be shared by other clients, The content receiving
client should be give one more responsibility to send
multicasting message to the rest of the member of
group to collaborate. The multicasting message is
based on client group. The clients can join and leave
the group and be identified with class D. To send
multicast messages to the group of clients for
collaboration; track group membership and route data
grams are needed. The group membership
management is controlled by local for local delivery.
Remote multicasting routing is done by global [9].
Internet Group Management protocol is used to locate
the clients. Multicasting at local level is done with
support of multicast router, which has capability of
group manger, which can send the queries to
members of group in local area. when members of
group send the response with reports then they are
identified, who are the members, taking part in MCL.
Similarly the Global does the process of multicasting
the messages to remote clients.
In response, the rest of members can get stored
information from feed of client by using RSS 2.0
software. If client gets the contents, then MCL
process starts given in figure: 4.
Figure 4: Content storing and extracting process from
client side
4. Proposed Group application and Case Study
Prototype for MCL
MCL is an revolution for education, which allows the
user to obtain computer-based information through
mobile devices. MCL provides various advantages
such as context awareness, portability, connectivity
and social interaction [10]. Mobile can be successful
tool for collaboration, allowing the students to share
the information to achieve targeted pedagogical
activities. from one side, mobile makes bridge of
opportunities, and from other side, limitations create
the hurdles and affect its deployment in collaborative
learning. The limitations, which highly affect the
performance of hand held devices include small size
of screen, navigation issue, mobility, low resolution,
bandwidth, and limited memory. Due to emerging
technologies and its best use make the task easy and
accessible for all. Our proposed application and
prototype as case study for MCL can solve the deep
dream of students to make the collaboration with
mobile anywhere and anytime. Our Group
application and prototype help the students to obtain
the required contents from enterprise database
warehouse (EDW) of University of Northern Virginia
(UNVA) to meet the course requirements. Let us take
a look overall procedure. Suppose, course Decision
Support System (DSS) is offered online from UNVA.
Some of the students do not have access to computer
during some hours of day but possess the handheld
devices. As these hand held devices get the course
contents from through server of UNVA and helps in
CL. Various information is stored in EDW to meet the
standard of course explained in [2]. An information
of course comprises of Textbook Information,
course Name, Course ID and Course description. The
focus of case study is around the course description
that is actually based on course contents. How to
complete the course contents during the semester for
getting the course objectives? course objectives are
met with support of tests, quizzes, assignments,
discussion, projects, labs etc. All these items can be
obtained to complete the course by using MCL.
Figure5 supports the process of case study prototype
for MCL.
Figure 5: Process for obtaining the course contents
through MCL
Suppose, parsing Engine and its components are the
contents of the first chapter of DSS course. To meet
the objectives, we need MCL but limited capability of
mobile and installed software cannot provide the easy
access for MCL. Hence we suggest to incorporate
Feed Demon or Net News Wire software with support
of (RSS) 2.0 software but objectives cannot be
achieved. We suggest some following
recommendations to incorporate Android mobile
operating system, which consists of software stack
for mobile devices.
¾ Add new application with name " group" in
application section by using Java programming.
¾ Resource Manager and Activity Manager
should be extended and provided extra
responsibilities to control different features of
"group" application.
¾ libraries section should be modified and
particularly SQlite because extention of this,will
make easy for structured data storage.
¾ Display Driver of Linux Kernal should be
enhanced to support MCL activities. If these
recommendations are incorporated in Android,
New application "group" with new features will
support for obtaining the contents from server
side up to completion of CL explained in figure 6
to 9.
¾
Figure 6: Oracle VM Virtualbox of Android
Operating system
Figure 7: Installation process of VM Name and
OS Windows 7 for android
Figure 8: Installation of Sun Virtualbox for
android OS
Figure 9: Installed applications on Sun
Virtualbox to support android OS
The application "group" consists of Control
option and Delivery option. The control option
performs the functionalities of Add New contact,
Delete contact, Edit Contact, Existing
Collaborative Group (C-G) and Make New C-G.
Delivery Option does the function of Receive
and send. When client (Mobile device or hand
held device) gets the requested contents from
server side, receives through delivery option and
saves by using the store component given in
figure 10.
Figure 10: Received contents from server are stored
in Client's mobile
The store component is place of mobile where all data
is available obtained from server side for
collaboration. mobile (requested client) gets the
contents, which are stored in three different sections
include file, Audio and Video. The store component
has download option. The participating clients use
this option by downloading the data to be stored on
RSS 2.O for collaboration. Each section of store
component manages the various files, audio and
video.If once data is obtained that will be saved onto
the store component of mobile (requested client)
and uploaded in respective RSS Feed. The upload
section helps the mobile to put any type of data in
RSS feed to be used by participating member of the
group for MCL displayed in figure 11.
Figure 11: Process of uploading the files from
MCL group for Collaboration
When mobile (requested client) finishes the process
of storing the data in its store and RSS feed, informs
the collaborative group by sending multicasting
message to participate in collaboration. When
participating members of the group get the message
of collaboration and starts to download the data from
RSS feed of requested client required for
collaboration. The process of sending the
multicasting message is given in figure 12.
Figure 12: Request from client to participate for
Mobile Collaborative Learning (MCL)
When all of collaborative members of group
complete the process of downloading the required
contents from RSS feed of requested client, starts to
follow the process for MCL given in figure 13. If
participating members need file for CL, open the file
to get the knowledge of the contents by reading. If
they need more information to clear their concept
about the topic then play the video of related
information given process in figure 14.
Figure 13: Sharing of file for Mobile Collaborative
Learning (MCL)
The group option provides utility to manage the data
with its respective options. If data is text based then
it should be obtained by using file option, otherwise
audio and video options are used.
Figure 14: Sharing of Video for Mobile
Collaborative Learning (MCL)
When each of collaborative members get awareness
and knowledge of the topic, subsequently starts the
process of collaboration by using Existing
Collaborative group (Existing CG) option explained
in figure 15. The process can be supported with H.323
standard published by International
Telecommunications Union Telecommunications
(ITU-T) to facilitate the real-time audio and video
communication. This protocol will help to
collaborative members to discuss the contents after
reading and watching the video of related information.
This protocol provides the point-to-point and
point-to-multipoint communication. The key feature
of H.323 is point-to-multipoint, which creates the
opportunities all of the members to participate
simultaneously. The Quality of service can be
maintained by using H.323 [11]. With integration of
"group" application in mobile application section, the
course objectives can be met with MCL.
Figure 15: Collaboration among the Mobile
Collaborative group for achieving the objectives
5. Conclusion and Future Work
The main objective of designing and developing the
liguistic prototypes are to obtain the learning
materials on hand held devices particularly on mobile
devices. With implementation of prototypes, students
can get the contents of the course anywhere and
anytime. First, We have introduced the server based
architectural prototype to support to MCL in
education; The design and development of server
based architecture can provide the faster method of
delivering the contents to users. We have also
optimized the content server by integrating with
cache server at server side. As this integration saves
the time for delivery of data. Second, our client-based
architectural prototype gives the complete directions
to researchers and market oriented organizations how
to make capable to mobile device to get the content
and store onto RSS 2.0 for collaboration. Finally,
We have proposed and implemented some features of
new application named "group" and recommended
some valuable suggestions in Android operating
system of mobile and explained the prototype based
case study for UNVA to meet the course objective by
using MCL. Our architectures meet the challenge of
MCL. In future, we will focus to implement the client
based architecture to meet the needs of MCL. The
successful experiment can bring revolutionary
changes in education. We will also integrate and
implement the features of content server with cache
server.
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