IJCSI International Journal of Computer Science Issues, Vol. 11, Issue 3, No 1, May 2014 ISSN (Print): 1694-0814 | ISSN (Online): 1694-0784 www.IJCSI.org 168 IMPLEMENTATION OF ANDROID BASED MOBILE LEARNING APPLICATION AS A FLEXIBLE LEARNING MEDIA Kurniawan Teguh Martono 1, Oky Dwi Nurhayati 2 1 Computer Engineering Department, Diponegoro University Semarang, Central Java 50275, Indonesia 2 Computer Engineering Department, Diponegoro University Semarang, Central Java 50275, Indonesia and anytime and capable of involving many users either Abstract individually or in a group. In addition, this technology Computer technology has been experiencing a quite rapid offers all its simplicities. For these features, internet has development in which it, in turn, has also caused a change in been becoming a very suitable media for the development human life style. One of technologies bringing an impact on such of the next education. The implementation of Information life style is in the use of computer technology embedded in mobile and Communication Technology (ICT) in educational communication devices. Nowadays, a new trend in e-learning is world, in turn, will improve the quality of the education known as Mobile Learning, the use of portable media such as itself. smartphone. This research uses the Development and Research method a The implementation of ICT in educational institution today research to build and develop m-learning that can be used as a has been a must since it can be one of indicators for flexible learning media. Meanwhile, for the design of software, achievement of an educational institution. Many teachers or this research uses waterfall method. lecturers use the advance of technology, in this case The result obtained from this research is that 95% of user from internet, as online learning also known as e-learning. university students enjoy in using the application of mobile E-learning (electronic learning) is one of the aspects of the learning and it is only 5% does not enjoy. At last, it can be ICT implementation in educational institution. It is defined concluded that the use of the mobile learning application can make as a media of delivering the content of learning or the learning process more flexible. experience in learning electronically with the use of Keywords: m-learning, flexible-learning, Android. computer of computer based media[1]. According to international convention[2], learning content can be 1. Introduction distributed through web or CD/DVD. In addition to learning content e-learning can monitor the performance of Computer technology has rapidly been improving. This, as the college students. a result, has made a change in human life style. One of A new trend in e-learning nowadays is known as Mobile technologies that have brought an impact on this life style is Learning the use of portable media such as Smartphone the use of computer technology embedded in mobile either using the Android system, IOS or Windows Phone. communication device. The use of this technology, in fact, The use of Mobile Learning to support the teaching- can help human in obtaining the update information in learning process is considered important to add the many aspects, one of which is in educational aspect. flexibility in the activity of teaching and learning. Thus, the On the other side, the rapid development of science and learning process can be done anywhere and anytime technology in the form of information and communication technology (ICT) has brought an impact on any fields 2. Literature Study including in educational and learning field in which the information of learning can be rapidly delivered to all The term of information technology has been becoming learners through internet. The features of internet popular in the end of 1970s. Previously, this term was technology include being always be accessible anywhere commonly called computer technology or electronic data Copyright (c) 2014 International Journal of Computer Science Issues. All Rights Reserved. IJCSI International Journal of Computer Science Issues, Vol. 11, Issue 3, No 1, May 2014 ISSN (Print): 1694-0814 | ISSN (Online): 1694-0784 www.IJCSI.org 169 processing. Information Technology is defined as Learning refers to the use of internet technology to send a technology of processing and transmitting data using series of solutions that can improve knowledge and skill[4]. hardware and software, computer, communication and From this definition, it can be concluded that e-learning is a digital electronic. The development of communication deliverance of learning content electronically distributed technology in Indonesia is always dynamic from time to through web (Internet and/or Internet) or through time. As a developing country, Indonesia always adopts CD/DVD (offline) and it is equipped with evaluation any information technology until it comes to an era where components inside[5]. Based on technology that is used, e- the use of internet will have started to be a daily learning can be divided into bases of technology including: consumption known as internet based technology. 1. CBT (Computer based training) The development of information technology highly 2. LMS (Learning Management System) influences communication technology. E-mail is a core key 3. Application of Web-based Learning for the change of communication way. Only using one E- mail address, the user can follow any models of 2.2 M-Learning communication provided on internet such as: Forum, Mail list /Group, Social Network sites, Blog or Sharing File Mobile Learning is a learning model that is done inter place Sites. or environment using portable technology regardless of The improvement of life quality has more required human space and time. With its potencies and excellences, Mobile to do any activities needed by optimizing the available Learning is expected to be one of alternative learning sources. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sources that can enhance efficiency and effectiveness of that has a rapid development indirectly has obliged human learning process for human. to use it in any activities. Mobile learning as an intersection of Mobile Computing The use of mobile learning cannot be apart from the and E-Learning providing resources that can be accessed in development of mobile technology. For this reason, anywhere has capability in an excellent searching system, technology of mobile learning also needs supports from rich interaction and full support towards an effective infrastructure from data communication system in mobile learning and performance-based assessment. In addition, it devices. Figure 2.1 shows the infrastructure of data has a characteristic of not being dependent on time and communication system in mobile devices [3]. space. Education requires an alternative learning model typically not dependent on time and space. It is also expected that the alternative model can facilitate knowledge sharing and knowledge visualization in order to make knowledge more interesting and easy to understand[6]. The use of information and communication technology in education has been always being developed in any various strategies and expected patterns. e-Learning system as a learning form that uses a set of electronic devices and digital media or mobile learning (m-Learning) refers to a learning form particularly using mobile devices and communication technology. The use of this m-learning technology is aimed to assist the university students or society to be able to access the lecture materials or information anytime, anywhere and in any conditions. Figure 2.1 Architecture of Mobile Communication System Figure 2.2 shows the architecture of mobile learning. internet 2.1. E-learning E-learning stands for electronic learning a new way in the teaching and learning process using electronic media particularly internet as its learning system. Through E- Learning, it is possible for the learners to learn using computer in their own places, rather than physically attending the class for learning. Aplikasi m-Learning Operator Server m-Learning Since the term of e-learning contains a very broad meaning, many experts define e-learning from any perspectives. e- Figure 2.2 Architecture of m-Learning Copyright (c) 2014 International Journal of Computer Science Issues. All Rights Reserved. IJCSI International Journal of Computer Science Issues, Vol. 11, Issue 3, No 1, May 2014 ISSN (Print): 1694-0814 | ISSN (Online): 1694-0784 www.IJCSI.org 170 The application of mobile learning can be developed using a library is required to translate Java language, a variety of mobile technologies and platforms[7]. Each which, in this case, is handled by Core Libraries. implementation of mobile learning has a different 2. Dalvik Virtual Machine: Register based Virtual characteristic. The application of mobile learning consists machine optimized to run the functions efficiently of: in which this is a development that is able to make 1. Mobile Devices Linux kernel to do threading and low-level 2. Software management. 3. Content of application The development of application in android operating In a learning activity (classroom instruction), mobile system can be done by using two types - native language or learning plays 3 roles: web base. The use of native language is the earliest way in 1. Optional supplement which the development of this android operating system 2. Complement based application uses Java Programming Language as a 3. Substitute base programming. The development of android application 3.2. Mobile Programming uses a number of basic components as follows: Android operating system is one of new types of operating 1. Activities ( Activity base class), system in mobile communication device. This operating 2. Service (Service base class), system has a Linux base. Android provides an open 3. Content Provider (ContentProvider base class), platform for developers to create their own applications to 4. Broadcast Receiver functioned to receive and run be used by any varied mobile devices. The update features the message to application (BroadcastReceiver and specifications of OS Android include application base class) and framework, Dalvik Virtual Machine, integrated browser, 5.