A mobile learning system for scaffolding bird watching learning

TLDR

The study develops and evaluates a mobile learning system that scaffolds bird‑watching education, examining the roles of mobility, portability, and individualization in enhancing student learning. The Bird‑Watching Learning system employs a wireless ad‑hoc network of PDAs with IEEE 802.11b Wi‑Fi cards to deliver scaffolded, mobile learning experiences.

Abstract

Abstract This paper develops a mobile learning system for scaffolding students learning about bird‐watching. The aim is to construct an outdoor mobile‐learning activity using up‐to‐date wireless technology. The proposed Bird‐Watching Learning (BWL) system is designed using a wireless mobile ad‐hoc network. In the BWL system, each learner has a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) with a Wi‐Fi‐based (IEEE 802.11b) wireless network card. The BWL system offers a mobile learning system which supports the students learning through scaffolding. The aim of a formative evaluation was twofold: to explore the possible roles and scaffolding aids that the mobile learning device offers for bird‐watching activities and to investigate whether student learning benefited from the mobility, portability, and individualisation of the mobile learning device.