Near Field Communication Mobiquitous Learning System

Abstract

The revolutionary integration of Near Field Communication (NFC) into smartphones has radically enabled new participatory learning applications between objects and the mobile phones. NFC-enabled smartphone technology can be used as a springboard to fuel mobiquitous learning applications that could potentially change the students' digital learning lifestyle, where interactive learning content is seamlessly integrated into the home environment. However, the application of NFC-enabled mobiquitous learning at home is still in a nascent stage. Therefore, a novel design and development of a Near Field Communication mobiquitous Learning System (NFC MoLS) with the use of photo interface and NFC-enabled smartphone is presented. The aim of the proposed system is to bridge the gap of cyber-physical spaces by enabling students to learn without imposing undue technological effort and inconvenience, through user-friendly and intuitive touch-driven interaction. NFC MoLS could potentially transcend conventional learning systems into a more dynamic environment where students are permitted more degrees of freedom when accessing educational contents through either smartphones or TVs, making the learning experience at home more exciting, pleasurable and entertaining. An initial evaluation was carried out to obtain feedback from a group of randomly chosen participants and the results indicated that NFC MoLS is fast, intuitive and convenient to use. This study offers a fresh insight for academicians to exploit the NFC and home automation technologies when designing learning activities to enhance learning at home.