A Survey of Mobile Learning Approaches for Teaching Internet of Things

Over the past few years, the interest in the Internet of Things (IoT) as well as the integration of mobile technology into education—called mobile learning—is rapidly rising. The purpose of this paper is to review mobile learning approaches that have been applied to teach IoT or related subjects and to derive lessons learned for designing mobile-learning-based IoT courses. To achieve this, we performed a systematic interdisciplinary literature review. The contribution of this paper is threefold. First, we present a survey of all identified publications in the research area, providing insights into the development of this field and showing its emerging importance. Second, we discuss different mobile learning approaches, focusing on approaches concerned explicitly with the special demands of these concepts in the context of IoT and related Computer Science topics. Third, by deriving lessons learned we provide a foundation for the informed selection of suitable mobile learning concepts as well as for evaluating future research in this area.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic €32.70 /Month

Buy Now

Price includes VAT (France)

eBook EUR 160.49 Price includes VAT (France)

Softcover Book EUR 210.99 Price includes VAT (France)

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Similar content being viewed by others

The Internet of Things as a Tool Towards Smart Education: A Systematic Review

Chapter © 2023

The Latest Technologies for Mobile Learning

Chapter © 2020

Section Introduction: Mobile Learning

Chapter © 2018

References

  1. Ali, F. (2015). Teaching the internet of things concepts. In Proceedings of the Workshop on Embedded and Cyber-Physical Systems Education. New York, NY, USA. Google Scholar
  2. Alsaggaf, W. (2012). Enhancement of learning programming experience by novices using mobile learning: Mobile learning in introductory programming lectures. In Proceedings of the 9th Annual International Conference on International Computing Education Research. New York, NY, USA (2012). Google Scholar
  3. Babic, F., & Gaspar, V. (2017). Mobile technologies education based on smart laboratory models. In Proceedings of the 15th International Conference on Emerging eLearning Technologies and Applications (Oct 2017). Google Scholar
  4. Boukraa, M., & Ando, S. (2002). Tag-rased vision: Assisting 3d scene analysis with radio-frequency tags. In 5th International Conference on Information Fusion (July 2002). Google Scholar
  5. Boyer, E. (1997). Scholarship reconsidered: Priorities of the professoriate. Hillsdale, NJ: Jossey-Bas. Google Scholar
  6. Brereton, P., Kitchenham, B. A., Budgen, D., Turner, M., & Khalil, M. (2007). Lessons from applying the systematic literature review process within the software engineering domain. Journal of Systems and Software, 80(4), 571–583. ArticleGoogle Scholar
  7. Brock, S. A. (1999). The networked physical world. MIT Auto-ID Center White Paper. Google Scholar
  8. Bruck, P. A., Motiwalla, L., & Foerster, F. (2012). Mobile learning with micro-content: A framework and evaluation. In Bled eConference. Google Scholar
  9. Cota, C. X. N., Díaz, A. I. M., & Duque, M. A. R. (2014). Developing a framework to evaluate usability in m-learning systems: Mapping study and proposal. In Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Technological Ecosystems for Enhancing Multiculturality. New York, NY, USA (2014). Google Scholar
  10. Cota, C. X. N., Molina, A. I., & Redondo, M. A. (2014). Evaluation framework for m-learning systems: Current situation and proposal. In Interacción. Google Scholar
  11. Dekhane, S., & Johnson, C. (2014). Using mobile apps to support novice programming students. In Proceedings of the 15th Annual Conf. on Information Technology Education. New York, NY, USA. Google Scholar
  12. Dobrilovic, D., & Stojanov, Z. (2016). Design of open-source platform for introducing internet of things in university curricula. In Proceedings of the 11th International Symposium on Applied Computational Intelligence and Informatics (May 2016). Google Scholar
  13. Fioravanti, M. L., Filho, N. F. D., Fronza, L. B., & Barbosa, E. F. (2017). Towards a mobile learning environment using reference architectures. In Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences 2017 (HICSS-50). Hawaii (January 2017). Google Scholar
  14. Fong, W. W. (2013). The trends in mobile learning. In S. K. S. Cheung, J. Fong, W. Fong, F. L. Wang, & L. F. Kwok (Eds.), Hybrid learning and continuing education (pp. 301–312). Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer. ChapterGoogle Scholar
  15. Förster, A., Dede, J., Könsgen, A., Udugama, A., & Zaman, I. (2017). Teaching the internet of things. GetMobile: Mobile Computing and Communications, 20(3), 24–28. Google Scholar
  16. Gary, K., Lindquist, T., Bansal, S., & Ghazarian, A. (2013). A project spine for software engineering curricular design. In Proceedings of the 26th International Conference on Software Engineering Education and Training (May 2013). Google Scholar
  17. Ghezzi, C., & Mandrioli, D. (2006). The challenges of software engineering education (pp. 115–127). Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer. Google Scholar
  18. Gonzalez, G. R., Organero, M. M., & Kloos, C. D. (2008). Early infrastructure of an internet of things in spaces for learning. In Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Advanced Learning Technologies (July 2008). Google Scholar
  19. Hanes, D., Salgueiro, G., Grossetete, P., Barton, R., & Henry, J. (2017). IoT fundamentals: Networking technologies, protocols, and use cases for the internet of things. Pearson Education: Fundamentals. Google Scholar
  20. Huang, R., Zhang, H., Li, Y., & Yang, J. (2012). A framework of designing learning activities for mobile learning. In S. K. S. Cheung, J. Fong, L. F. Kwok, K. Li, & R. Kwan (Eds.), Hybrid learning (pp. 9–22). Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer. ChapterGoogle Scholar
  21. Jeong, G. M., Truong, P. H., Lee, T. Y., Choi, J. W., & Lee, M. (2016). Course design for internet of things using lab of things of microsoft research. In IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE) (pp. 1–6). Google Scholar
  22. Kaganer, E. A., Giordano, G. A., Brion, S., & Tortoriello, M. (November 2013). Media tablets for mobile learning. Communications of the ACM,56(11), 68–75. Google Scholar
  23. Kallookaran, M., & Siemon, D. (2017). Using mobile learning to create a reciprocal peer learning environment. In AMCIS 2017. Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Google Scholar
  24. Kitchenham, B., Brereton, O. P., Budgen, D., Turner, M., Bailey, J., & Linkman, S. (2009). Systematic literature reviews in software engineering—A systematic literature review. Information and Software Technology, 51(1). Google Scholar
  25. Kopackova, H., & Bilkova, R. (2014). Mobile devices in learning—Are students ready for the change? In Proceedings of the 12th IEEE International Conference on Emerging eLearning Technologies and Applications. Google Scholar
  26. Krotov, V. (2015). Critical success factors in m-learning: A socio-technical perspective. Communications of the Association for Information Systems, 36(6). Google Scholar
  27. Lei, C., Yau, C., Lui, K. Yum, P., Tam, V., Yuen, A.H., et al. (2017). Teaching internet of things: Enhancing learning efficiency via full-semester flipped classroom. In Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Teaching, Assessment, and Learning for Engineering. Google Scholar
  28. Liang, T. Y., Li, H. F., & Chen, Y. C. (2014). A ubiquitous integrated development environment for c programming on mobile devices. In Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Dependable, Autonomic and Secure Computing. Google Scholar
  29. Lim, W. N. (2017). Improving student engagement in higher education through mobile-based interactive teaching model using socrative. In IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON) (pp. 404–412). Google Scholar
  30. Lu, X., & Viehland, D. (2008). Factors influencing the adoption of mobile learning. In ACIS 2008 Proceedings. New Zealand. Google Scholar
  31. Luchini, K., Bobrowsky, W., Curtis, M., Quintana, C., & Soloway, E. (2002). Supporting learning in context: Extending learner-centered design to the development of handheld educational software. In: Proceedings. IEEE International Workshop on Wireless and Mobile Technologies in Education (pp. 107–111). Google Scholar
  32. Ma, K., Ma, Y., Wang, Y., Qian, K., Zheng, Q., & Hong, L. (2015). Innovative mobile tool for engineering embedded design and security educations. In IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE) (pp. 1–4). Google Scholar
  33. Mäenpää, H., Varjonen, S., Hellas, A., Tarkoma, S., & Männistö, T. (2017). Assessing IOT projects in university education: A framework for problem-based learning. In Proceedings of the 39th International Conference on Software Engineering. Piscataway, NJ, USA. Google Scholar
  34. Möller, D. P. F., Haas, R., & Vakilzadian, H. (2013). Ubiquitous learning: Teaching modeling and simulation with technology. In Proceedings of the Grand Challenges on Modeling and Simulation Conference. Vista, CA. Google Scholar
  35. Oyelere, S. S., Suhonen, J., Wajiga, G. M., & Sutinen, E. (2016). Evaluating mobileedu: Third-year undergraduate computer science students’ mobile learning achievements. In Proceedings of the 16th Koli Calling International Conference on Computing Education Research. New York, NY, USA. Google Scholar
  36. Pedro, L. F. M. G., Barbosa, C. M. M. D. O., & Santos, C. M. D.N. (2018). A critical review of mobile learning integration in formal educational contexts. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education ,15(1), 10. Google Scholar
  37. Pereira, O. R. E., & Rodrigues, J. J. P. C. (2013). Survey and analysis of current mobile learning applications and technologies. ACM Computing Surveys, 46(2), 27:1–27:35. Google Scholar
  38. Poursaeed, B., & Lee, C. (2010). Self-initiated curriculum planning, visualization and assessment in improving meaningful learning: A comparison between mobile and ubiquitous learning. In International Conference on Technology for Education. Google Scholar
  39. Rieger, R., & Gay, G. (1997). Using mobile computing to enhance field study. In Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Computer Support for Collaborative Learning. Google Scholar
  40. Samuel, A., Mohamedally, D., Banerjee, N., Brush, A. J., & Mahajan, R. (2015). Lab of things in education. GetMobile: Mobile Computing and Communications, 19(1), 18–24. Google Scholar
  41. Sánchez Prieto, J. C., Migueláñez, S. O., & García-Peñalvo, F. J. (2013). Mobile learning: Tendencies and lines of research. In Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Technological Ecosystem for Enhancing Multiculturality. New York, NY, USA. Google Scholar
  42. Schefer-Wenzl, S., & Miladinovic, I. (2017). Game changing mobile learning based method mix for teaching software development. In mLearn 2017, 16th World Conference on Mobile and Contextual Learning. Google Scholar
  43. Schefer-Wenzl, S., & Miladinovic, I. (2018). Leveraging collaborative mobile learning for sustained software development skills. In Proceedings of the 21 International Conference on Interactive Collaborative Learning. Google Scholar
  44. Sendov, B. (1997). Towards global wisdom in the era of digitalization and communication. Prospects, 27(3), 415–426. ArticleGoogle Scholar
  45. Tillmann, N., Moskal, M., de Halleux, J., Fahndrich, M., Bishop, J., Samuel, A., et al. (2012). The future of teaching programming is on mobile devices. In Proceedings of the 17th ACM Annual Conference on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education. New York, NY, USA (2012) Google Scholar
  46. Virtanen, M. A., Haavisto, E., Liikanen, E., & Kääriäinen, M. (2018). Ubiquitous learning environments in higher education: A scoping literature review. Education and Information Technologies, 23(2), 985–998. ArticleGoogle Scholar
  47. Weldon, M. K. (2016). The Future X Network. A Bell Labs Perspective: CRC Press. BookGoogle Scholar
  48. Yu, M., Wang, J.: The design and implementation of a mobile massive open online courses platform. In: Proc. of Intern. Conf. on Information Integration and Web-based Applications & Services. New York, NY, USA (2013) Google Scholar
  49. Yunis, M.M., Liu, L.C., Koong, K.S.: Towards a framework for perceived effectiveness of mobile learning. In: AMCIS 2011 Proceedings. Detroit, Michigan, USA (August 2011) Google Scholar
  50. Zhang, H., & Babar, M. A. (2013). Systematic reviews in software engineering: An empirical investigation. Information and Software Technology, 55(7), Google Scholar
  51. Zhao, Y., Robal, T., Lofi, C., Hauff, C.: Stationary vs. non-stationary mobile learning in moocs. In: Proc. of the 26th International Conference on User Modeling, Adaptation and Personalization (June 2018) Google Scholar

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Applied Science Campus Vienna, Favoritenstr. 226, 1100, Vienna, Austria Sigrid Schefer-Wenzl, Igor Miladinovic & Alice Ensor
  1. Sigrid Schefer-Wenzl