An Empirical Investigation on a Pedagogical Pattern Language for Mobile Learning Applications

Abstract

This Research to Practice Full Paper presents an empirical investigation of a pedagogical pattern language for mobile learning apps. Mobile learning (m-learning) applications can provide several benefits to learners. However, there are still several problems to be further investigated, such as the challenge to keep the learner motivated while using the application during educational activities. The application design can help to solve this kind of problems. There is a need to understand such problems in the pedagogical level and then properly eliciting requirements that would address those problems. Pedagogical patterns try to capture expert knowledge regarding the practice of teaching and learning in a way that it is possible for others to reuse this experience. Therefore, pedagogical patterns can be a tool to assist in the design of new m-learning applications as well as to the improvement of the existing ones. Aiming to bridge this gap, a pedagogical pattern language entitled MLearning-PL has been proposed to guide the requirements elicitation of m-learning applications projects. We conducted an empirical investigation in order to evaluate the proposed pattern language by means of a experimental study, whose main purpose was to evaluate the solutions provided using MLearning-PL in comparison to an ad hoc approach. A feedback questionnaire was also applied to understand the participants’ perceptions about MLearning-PL on its clearness and completeness. The obtained results provided preliminary evidences of the applicability, effectiveness and efficiency of MLearning-PL.