Determining location in context-aware mobile learning

Abstract

Context-aware mobile learning systems rely on the availability of information about a mobile user. One of the most obvious aspects of context is location (Small, Smailagic and Siewiorek 2000), and several methods exist to determine a user’s position, varying not just in the accuracy of the information they provide, but also in the extent to which they intrude on the user’s experience. Issues with intrusiveness also arise when this information is used. For instance, a user may not necessarily want content in their browser automatically updated whenever they change position, or when they are busy with other activities. This paper describes the ongoing development of a testbed to explore some of these methods and issues by modelling a mobile learning scenario involving a visit to an art gallery. A user with a mobile device will have the most relevant content made available as he or she moves around the gallery.