Abstract:

The goal of this paper is to propose a new framework that can be used for designing and evaluating M-learning applications, by introducing new evaluation parameters and modifying the currently existing robust HCI evaluation methods. The outcome of the research identified criteria that are necessary for designing and evaluating M-learning applications. The identified criteria were then combined with M-learning theoretical framework to create a more robust design and evaluation framework for M-learning applications. The proposed framework has three main categories named pedagogical usability, user interface usability and context of use. Each of these categories is further divided into subcategories and criteria that specifically help in designing and evaluating M-learning applications. The experimental results and analysis of the collected data demonstrate that the newly proposed framework is a robust framework that can help in designing efficient, effective and user-friendly M-learning applications that are geared towards creating a better user learning experience.

The proposed framework in this paper is a comprehensive learner-centric model that balances learner needs and context with pedagogical and graphic design principles. Thus, the framework will help the M-learning application developers to have a unified robust framework that can be used from the start to end of the M-learning application development. The proposed framework will reduce the time and the cost of both the design and evaluation of M- learning application. It has proved to be a robust alternative to the existing M-learning frameworks through multiple experiments and expert study.

The M-learning system is the first of its kind in Qatar and the Middle East. It will be deployed in Qatar Petroleum and Qatar University to help both the employees and students to experience new ways of learning anywhere anytime. Nevertheless, the developed M-learning system can also be adopted by any organization that would like to deliver their learning content to their organizational members through mobile devices. It has both a learner’s client application that learners can use and an authoring tool, which instructors can use to author the learning content. It introduces new ways of delivering learning content to learners for the organizations. Many of the learners especially in the higher education and organizational employees spend much of their time using their mobile devices on daily basis.

The proposed framework will provide the application developer and content designers, robust guidelines to design and evaluate their M-learning applications. Furthermore, the framework opens the opportunity for researchers in the M-learning and HCI domains that are interested in creating a more comprehensive framework that combines the best guidelines and practices that are identified the literature.

Keywords:

M-Learning, Design Framework for m-learning Design Framework, m-learning Evaluation Framework.