Chapter 1: Definitions

ATHABASCA UNIVERSITY THE FRAMEWORK FOR THE RATIONAL ANALYSIS OF MOBILE EDUCATION (FRAME) MODEL: AN EVALUATION OF MOBILE DEVICES FOR DISTANCE EDUCATION BY MARGUERITE LEANNE KOOLE A thesis submitted to the Athabasca University Governing Council in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF DISTANCE EDUCATION Athabasca, Alberta February, 2006 ATHABASCA UNIVERSITY The undersigned certify that they have read and recommend to the Athabasca University Governing Council for acceptance the thesis “FRAMEWORK FOR THE RATIONAL ANALYSIS OF MOBILE EDUCATION (FRAME) MODEL: AN ANALYSIS OF MOBILE DEVICES FOR DISTANCE EDUCATION” submitted by MARGUERITE LEANNE KOOLE in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF DISTANCE EDUCATION. ______________________________________ Mohamed Ally, Ph.D. Committee Supervisor ______________________________________ Rory McGreal, Ph.D. Committee Member ______________________________________ Richard Kenny, Ph.D. Committee Member February, 2006 i ABSTRACT Mobile technology is a new and promising area of research in distance education. Currently, there are few if any descriptive models of mobile learning that can be used to develop appropriate pedagogical practices. This thesis has two main purposes: to develop a theoretical model of mobile learning and to use the model to evaluate a set of mobile devices. The Framework for the Rational Analysis of Mobile Education (FRAME) model describes mobile learning as a process resulting from the convergence of mobile technologies, human learning characteristics, and social interaction. The devices included in this study were equipped with wireless networking capacity, but varied in size, weight, processing power, interface design, portability, as well as input and output capabilities. This study is both theoretical and evaluative, relying on a small panel of experts to review the devices. During the first phase of data collection, the experts individually evaluated each device. In the second phase, they shared their observations in a face-to-face discussion. All questionnaires and discussion questions were based on the FRAME model. The study culminates in a discussion of some of the most significant factors likely to affect mobile device usability in distance education. It also outlines other areas of research suggested by the FRAME model. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank my supervisor, Dr. Mohamed Ally, for his guidance throughout my thesis research. Of my committee members, Dr. Richard Kenny’s observations and suggestions were invaluable, and Dr. Rory McGreal’s vision and enthusiasm inspired me to venture into mobile education research. Most of the devices evaluated in this study were acquired by Dr. McGreal through a grant from the Canada Foundation for Innovation. I would also like to thank my colleagues at Athabasca University–in particular, Blaise MacMullin for taking photographs, Ian Grivois for his design assistance, Jan Thiessen for her editing advice, Christine Nelson, my supervisor, for her support and encouragement, and the faculty and staff from the Centre for Distance Education for making my studies rich and enjoyable. I am honoured to work with so many talented people. I would like to express my appreciation to the expert reviewers for their time and effort during the data collection period. Finally, I would like to extend a special thank you to my parents who instilled in me an appreciation for learning and the drive to succeed. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER I – INTRODUCTION ........................................................................... 1 Background ................................................................................................... 1 Purpose ......................................................................................................... 4 Theoretical Framework ................................................................................. 4 Research Questions ....................................................................................... 5 Definition of Terms .......................................................................................6 Delimitations ................................................................................................. 11 Limitations .................................................................................................... 12 Significance of the Study .............................................................................. 14 Summary of the Problem .............................................................................. 14 CHAPTER II – LITERATURE REVIEW ............................................................... 16 Introduction ................................................................................................... 16 Technology in Distance Education ............................................................... 16 Recent Studies .............................................................................................. 20 Summary of Findings .................................................................................... 29 CHAPTER III – THE FRAME MODEL ..................................................................32 Introduction ................................................................................................... 32 Aspects .......................................................................................................... 34 Device Usability ............................................................................... 34 Learner .............................................................................................. 40 Social .................................................................................................46 Intersections ................................................................................................. 49 iv Context Learning .............................................................................. 49 Social Computing ............................................................................ 55 Interaction Learning ......................................................................... 59 The Mobile Learning Process ...................................................................... 63 Summary ...................................................................................................... 66 CHAPTER IV – METHODOLOGY ........................................................................ 70 Introduction ................................................................................................... 70 Theoretical Foundation ................................................................................. 71 Mobile Device Selection ............................................................................... 71 Participant Selection ..................................................................................... 73 Instruments ................................................................................................... 74 The Device Evaluation Questionnaire .............................................. 75 The Face-to-Face Discussion Questions ........................................... 78 Data Collection and Recording Procedures ................................................. 81 Phase One: Device Evaluation ......................................................... 81 Phase Two: Face-to-Face Discussion............................................... 82 Data Analysis ................................................................................................ 82 The Device Evaluation Questionnaire Results ................................. 83 The Face-to-Face Discussion Results............................................... 85 Summary ....................................................................................................... 86 CHAPTER V – FINDINGS AND INTERPRETATIONS ....................................... 87 Introduction ................................................................................................... 87 Participants ................................................................................................... 87 v Device Descriptions ..................................................................................... 89 The Psion Netbook Pro 2003 ............................................................ 90 The Mac Mini .................................................................................. 91 The Sony Vaio U71/P ...................................................................... 91 The OQO Model 01 ......................................................................... 92 The Toshiba Libretto U100 ............................................................. 93 The Dell Axim X50v ........................................................................ 93 The Palm Treo 600 ........................................................................... 94 Device Reviews ........................................................................................... 95 The Psion Netbook Pro 2003 ............................................................ 97 The Mac Mini .................................................................................. 108 The Sony Vaio U71/P ...................................................................... 118 The OQO Model 01 ......................................................................... 126 The Toshiba Libretto U100 ............................................................

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