Portals Supporting a Mobile Learning Environment

Mobile computing gives a learner the ability to engage in learning activities when and where they wish. This may be formal learning, where the learner is a student enrolled on a course in an institution, or informal learning, where they may be engaged in activities such as a visit to an art gallery. This entry emphasises the importance of portals to this learning environment, using the MOBIlearn project as an example. The MOBIlearn project intends to develop software that supports the use of mobile devices (smartphones, PDAs, Tablet PCs, and laptops with wireless network connection) for various learning scenarios, including noninstitutional learning. (MOBIlearn, 2005) The project has two primary objectives: • Develop a methodology for creating mobile learning scenarios and producing learning objects to implement them. • Develop the technology to deliver the learning objects to users via mobile computing devices such as personal digital assistants, smart phones and tablet computers.