Open Lab: Location based learning experiments

For the next few months Alok Gavhane is working part-time as an intern with Sprout Labs on a Location Based Learning Experiment. Alok is a doing a Masters of Fine Art in Graphic Design at the University of Tasmania. Alok is a Communication Designer with experience in online and print media.

Sprout Labs has done a couple of mobile learning projects in the past and this project is chance to explore what we see as the potential of mobiles to give place sensitive mobile learning.

What is Location based learning

Our definition of location based learning is: learning or information that is provided in a certain place. A great Tasmania based example of location based information is MONA "˜O' system that give visitors information based on where they are in the museum.

For example:

• When a contractor arrives on a building site. They connect to the open wifi network on their phone, then access the local website to get site specific induction.
• As a visitor enters a hospital foyer they can access the fire and emergency and evacuation information and a map of the building via the open wifi network.

How is this done?

We are attempting to this by using low cost existing technology, so we can focus on the design issues.

• There will be Credit Card size $30 Raspberry PI running a web server with an open wifi network
• Using a piece of software called Private Box means that when a learner connects to the network they will automatically be directed to the homepage of the server.

The Raspberry PI wifi connection will not be strong, so the learner will only be able to access the experience at specific location. The learner doesn't need to download anything and it should be simple to use.

Join us for an Open Lab session

During the project we hope to run a couple of Open Labs sessions to showcase and discuss what Alok is working on.

Face to Face

On Monday the 16th of September at 4:00pm join us at Sprout Labs in Hobart to explore and brainstorm applications and possibilities for mobile learning. Food and drinks will be provided. Please RVSP to robin@sproutlabs.com.au.

Online

On Monday the 23rd of September at 12:00pm we will run an online Virtual Classroom session using Adobe Connect to do a similar brainstorming session. Please RVSP to robin@sproutlabs.com.au.

Alok blog about the project is at http://alok-semester2.blogspot.com.au