ColInq: A System for Collaborative Inquiry Learning with Mobile Devices

Abstract

In this paper, we explore the notion of seamless learning by presenting the design and development of the ColInq (Collaborative Inquiry) system, a mobile application designed to help students continue their collaborative inquiry learning across multiple contexts and platforms. The ColInq system is grounded in the theories of inquiry learning and collaborative learning where learning is viewed as a progressive and collective inquiry process. ColInq allows users with mobile devices to manipulate multimedia content, take notes or create inquiry questions in the course of inquiry learning. Created multimedia resources are then stored onto the centralized server for online collaborative learning. The mobile client-side application is built with context-awareness in mind, using GPS and CellId information. We conclude the paper with the application of the ColInq system in the context of mobile learning trails, and discuss pedagogical implications and some areas for further improvement.