A Framework of Three Learning Activity Levels for Enhancing the Usability and Feasibility of Wireless Learning Environments

Abstract

The most recent advances in information technology have brought wireless communication and mobile devices to education. The wireless technology enhanced classroom (WiTEC) integrates a wireless local area network, mobile learning devices, and client-server architecture to support instruction and learning activities. This article introduces a framework that involves three learning activity levels—learning functions, learning episodes, and learning flows—as a basis for designing an integrated system that supports various types of learning activities in WiTEC. A teacher can use this system to generate new learning flows before class and to implement them during class. A two-stage evaluation was conducted in three 6th grade classes to investigate the usability and feasibility of the proposed system. The participating teachers indicated that the use of the three learning activity levels eased the burden of preparing, implementing and reviewing instruction and learning activities.