Ontology-based framework for context-aware mobile learning

ABSTRACT

Mobile learning is becoming an important research topic as people are increasingly connected through smart phones that combine telephony, computing, messaging, and multimedia. The process of designing, communicating and presenting learning resources for mobile learners poses new challenges to the research community. This is mainly due to the limited bandwidth of wireless networks, limited resource available on mobile devices, and the special requirements of mobile learners. In this paper, an attempt is made to solve some of these problems by proposing an ontology-based framework for context-aware mobile learning. The system consists mainly of a rule-based ontology and a search agent. The rule-based ontology component is driven by the learner profile to contextualize learning content accordingly. The goal is to extract from a source ontology a lightweight target ontology by firing a set of rules based on the learner profile. The extracted conceptual knowledge is then mapped to a set of learning objects that meet the technical requirements of the used mobile technology. The mapping is geared by a search agent that searches a set of distributed learning objects repositories for feasible lightweight learning objects.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.3 COMPUTERS AND EDUCATION
      K.3.1 Computer Uses in Education
          Subjects: Computer-assisted instruction (CAI)

Additional Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.3 INFORMATION STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL
      H.3.5 On-line Information Services
          Subjects: Web-based services

  K. Computing Milieux
  K.3 COMPUTERS AND EDUCATION
      K.3.1 Computer Uses in Education
          Subjects: Computer-managed instruction (CMI)

General Terms:
Design, Human Factors

Keywords:
ontology, semantic web, wireless and mobile learning