UeL 2011 Abstracts

Short Papers
Short Papers
Paper Nr: 6
Title:

LEADER-FOLLOWER FORMATION CONTROL OF NON-HOLONOMIC ROBOTS IN A REMOTE LABORATORY
Authors:

Daniel Neamtu, Bart Wyns, Robin De Keyser and Clara Ionescu
Abstract: This paper presents a remote laboratory for leader-follower formation control. The client-server architecture of the remote laboratory is based on Matlab and JIM at the server’s side, and a Java applet created using Easy Java Simulations at the client’s side. The implementation of the remote laboratory is described in detail and the educational value is outlined by presenting some experimental results for formation control of two mobile robots.
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Paper Nr: 8
Title:

THE FEASIBILITY OF UBIQUITOUS COMPUTING IN SCHOOL - Longitudinal Study in 1:1 Classes Suggests — Time Matters
Authors:

Spektor-Levy Ornit, Keren Menashe and Doron Esty
Abstract: Despite the growing interest in and excitement about ubiquitous computing in school and 1:1 models, there is a lack of research that focuses on teaching and learning in these intensive computing learning environments. This is a particularly salient issue in light of the high cost of implementing and maintaining 1:1 settings. This study evaluates an innovative educational program, taking place in three elementary schools and one middle school. 1,257 students and their teachers were provided with personal laptop computers for class and home use. This paper presents a portion of the results concluding four years of study and focuses on the way science teachers perceive the impact of teaching and learning in ubiquitous computing environment. Results suggest that "time matters". The statistical analysis as well as interviews with teachers revealed that as time passes, and the 1:1 settings become a routine in school, it is easier to detect the advantages of teaching and learning with personal laptops. Students feel more motivated, experience higher self-efficacy and develop increased technology proficiency for learning. These findings add unique and positive evidence to the growing body of research regarding one-to-one models.
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Paper Nr: 9
Title:

LEARNING OF ALGORITHMS ON MOBILE DEVICES THROUGH BLUETOOTH, SMS AND MMS TECHNOLOGY
Authors:

Ricardo José dos Santos Barcelos and Liane Margarida Rokembach Tarouco
Abstract: Teaching Institutions are up against challenges of an advanced technology of learning with the objective of improving the efficiency of the teaching-learning process. Joining the students’ learning style to the technologies is important to improve the educational process. This work presents the advantages of using mobile devices, associated with the students’ learning styles. The learning which is carried out with the use of mobile devices makes it possible for users to learn at anytime and anywhere.
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Paper Nr: 3
Title:

CAMELL - Towards a Ubiquitous Multilingual e-Learning System
Authors:

Maria Virvou and Christos Troussas
Abstract: This paper describes a ubiquitous e-learning tutoring system for multiple language learning. It is a post-desktop model of human-computer interaction in which students “naturally” interact with the system in order to get used to electronically supported computer-based learning. The system presents advances in user modeling and user interface design. Furthermore, the main focus of the tutor is on the student’s error diagnosis process, which is performed by the student modeling component. Whenever a student types a solution for an exercise, the system’s reasoning mechanism examines the correctness of the student’s answer. If the student’s answer is erroneous, the system records it and attempts to diagnose the nature of the error. The system holds a student model, namely it keeps a profile of every student, and provides individualized help concerning performance and error diagnosis for three languages. In addition, the errors that originated from language confusion are a matter that is deeply examined.
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Paper Nr: 4
Title:

IMPLEMENTATION OF WIZARD TECHNOLOGY INTO THE LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM OPAL
Authors:

Ariane Heller, Sven Schneider and Wolfram Hardt
Abstract: Although the acceptance of e-Learning systems continuously rises, until now a clear inhibition threshold is recognised by inexperienced and little media-competent users. For the Learning Management System OPAL the problem was analysed under the aspect of user-friendliness. For user-friendly support a Wizard framework was developed and implemented. This enables the integration of electronic assistants into OPAL. Besides, the analysed workflow presents the basis for the Wizard technology in OPAL. To guarantee productive and efficient work for an author by preparing courses in OPAL, the Wizard course preparation is introduced. Afterwards the Wizard for the realisation of electronic semester resources in OPAL is presented.
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Paper Nr: 7
Title:

ENHANCING STATISTICS TEACHING WITH A VIRTUAL LAB - A Case Study of Seamless Local and Remote Computing
Authors:

Araceli Garín, Fernando Tusell and Aitziber Unzueta
Abstract: Some Statistics and Data Analysis courses demand a fair amount of computing. While there are excellent free source tools which can be given away to students, their seamless integration requires a fair amount of work and is challenging to the less computer-savvy students. In the past we have addressed the problem by compiling and integrating the necessary tools in CD-ROM’s and providing local computing facilities, but this has proved impractical on a number of counts. Trial and error has led us to finding a setup with which we have finally solved most problems.
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