Interactive learning panels

Abstract

New sensing technologies, as RFID readers, are being incorporated into mobile devices to provide users with new interaction experiences. And, the combinations of these new technologies open up new challenging application scenarios. One of the areas that could exploit this potential is the design of interactive solutions for context-aware applications applied to learning environments. This article describes an m-learning environment that is enriched with new interaction features that are, or may, be provided by actual or future mobile device technologies. The proposed gesture based interface allows users to relate ideas and concepts through the improvement of traditional methods. This environment is based on the reuse of existent physical resources, such as the learning panels used in school classes. For instance maps, historical posters, timelines, and so on. These panels are improved with the low cost and widely used RFID technology that enables students to interact with them through mobile devices, encouraging the interest the students applying the constructivist education theory. © 2009 Springer Berlin Heidelberg.