Aug 25 - Definition of Usability, Mobile Learning

Definition of Usability:

Mikko AHONEN, Accessibility challenges with mobile lifelong learning tools and related collaboration. University of Tampere, Hypermedia Laboratory. mikko.ahonen@uta.fi

Usability focuses on making applications and websites easy for people to use.
Accessibility focuses on making them equally easy for everyone to use,
including people with a disability. (WAI, 2003)

Giasemi Vavoula1, Julia Meek2, Mike Sharples3, Peter Lonsdale2, Paul Rudman4. A Lifecycle approach to evaluating MyArtSpace. 1The Open University, 2University of Birmingham, 3University of Nottingham, 4Oxford Brookes University.
Proceedings: Fourth IEEE International Workshop on Wireless, Mobile and Ubiquitous Technology in Education. WMUTE 2006

Usability requirements: requirements for designing an easy to use, easy to learn and enjoyable service/system for all user groups


Definition of Mobile Learning:

Lars Bollen, Guillermo Juarez, Micha Westermann, H. Ulrich Hoppe. PDAs as Input Devices in Brainstorming and Creative Discussions. University Duisburg-Essen, Duisburg, Germany {bollen, juarez, mailto:hoppe%7D@collide.info
Proceedings: Fourth IEEE International Workshop on Wireless, Mobile and Ubiquitous Technology in Education. WMUTE 2006

The trendy notion of “mobile learning” has different connotations:
On the one hand, it can be understood as “learning on the move” – often referred to as “learning any time anywhere”.
Of course this interpretation relies on specific kinds of technological enabling, but the definition aims at the general setting of learning activities. Particularly, it includes informal learning settings (cf. [1]).
A second interpretation sees mobile learning somewhat more pragmatically as learning with mobile devices. This may include formal learning in the classroom.