Estudos indicam que a utilização de aplicativos educacionais móveis vêm crescendo continuamente, possibilitando a alunos e professores maior flexibilidade e comodidade na execução de atividades e práticas educacionais. Embora várias instituições já tenham aderido à modalidade de aprendizagem móvel (m-learning), sua adoção ainda traz problemas e desafios organizacionais, culturais e tecnológicos. Um destes problemas consiste em como avaliar adequadamente a qualidade dos aplicativos educacionais desenvolvidos. De fato, os métodos existentes para avaliação da qualidade de software ainda são muito genéricos, não contemplando aspectos específicos aos contextos pedagógico e móvel. Nesse cenário, o presente trabalho apresenta o método MoLEva, desenvolvido para avaliar a qualidade de aplicativos educacionais móveis. O método tem como base a norma ISO/IEC 25000, sendo composto por: (i) modelo de qualidade; (ii) métricas; e (iii) critérios de julgamento. Para validar o método, foram realizados dois estudos de caso; o primeiro consistiu na aplicação do MoLEva para avaliar o aplicativo do ENEM; o segundo consistiu na aplicação do método para avaliação de aplicativos para o ensino de idiomas. A partir dos resultados obtidos, foi possível identificar problemas e pontos de melhoria nos aplicativos avaliados. Além disso, os estudos de caso conduzidos forneceram bons indicativos a respeito da viabilidade de uso do método MoLEva na avaliação de aplicativos educacionais móveis. / Studies indicate that the use of mobile learning applications has grown continuously, allowing students and teachers greater flexibility and convenience in the execution of educational activities and practices. Although several institutions have already adhered to the mobile learning (m-learning) modality, their adoption still brings organizational, cultural and technological problems and challenges. One of these problems is how to adequately evaluated the quality of the mobile learning applications developed. In fact, existing methods for evaluating software quality are still very generic, not considering aspects specific to the pedagogical and mobile contexts. In this scenario, the present work presents the MoLEva method, developed to evaluate the quality of mobile learning applications. The method is based on the ISO / IEC 25000 standard, being composed of: (i) quality model; (ii) metrics; and (iii) criteria of judgment. To validate the method, two case studies were performed; the first consisted of applying MoLEva to evaluate the ENEM application; the second consisted of applying the method for evaluating applications for language teaching. From the obtained results, it was possible to identify problems and improvement points in the evaluated applications. In addition, the case studies conducted provided good indications regarding the feasibility of using the MoLEva method in evaluating mobile learning applications.

The development and use of computational applications to support teaching and learning, together with the evolution of mobile computing, have contributed significantly to the establishment of a new learning modality known as mobile learning. Despite the benefits and facilities offered by educational applications, some problems and issues they present must be addressed. Challenges associated with mobile learning are not limited to developmental aspects or technologies. We should also consider the pedagogical aspects of this kind of application. When dealing with domain-specific software, we must be concerned about domain requirements. Therefore, it is important to have expert knowledge in the requirements engineering team and, in the case of mobile learning applications projects, such knowledge come from educators, teachers and tutors. However, capturing and transferring tacit knowledge are not trivial tasks and a supporting mechanism that guides the requirements elicitation phase in mobile learning applications projects would be of major importance. Pattern languages as a method to describe tacit knowledge is acknowledged and could be used as a supporting mechanism. Patterns constitute a mechanism for capturing domain experience and knowledge to allow such experience and knowledge to be reapplied when a new problem is encountered. Similarly, pedagogical patterns try to capture expert knowledge of the practice of teaching and learning. Aiming to solve, or at least diminish, the problems associated with mobile learning and due the lack of pedagogical patterns for this purpose, this work aims to create a pedagogical pattern language to assist the requirements elicitation phase of mobile learning applications projects. In this context, a pedagogical pattern language, named MLearning-PL, was created. It is composed of 14 patterns and focuses on assisting in the definition of mobile applications in order to keep learners motivated and committed to using such applications, considering their different learning styles and an effective knowledge acquisition. Experimental studies comparing MLearning-PL to an ad hoc approach in a pedagogical problem resolution scenario were conducted. The results obtained provided preliminary evidences of the applicability, effectiveness and efficiency of MLearning-PL. / O desenvolvimento e a utilização de aplicações computacionais como apoio ao ensino e aprendizagem, aliados à evolução da computação móvel, tem contribuído significativamente para o estabelecimento de uma nova modalidade de ensino conhecida como aprendizagem móvel. Neste cenário, as aplicações educacionais existentes, mesmo possuindo diversos benefícios e facilidades, apresentam problemas e desafios. Os desafios associados à aprendizagem móvel não se limitam a aspectos de desenvolvimento ou tecnologias. Deve-se, também, considerar os aspectos pedagógicos deste tipo de aplicação. Ao lidar com software específico de determinado domínio, deve-se considerar os requisitos de tal domínio. Portanto, é importante ter conhecimento especializado na equipe de engenharia de requisitos e, no caso de projetos de aplicativos de aprendizagem móvel, esse conhecimento é proveniente de educadores, professores e tutores. No entanto, capturar e transferir o conhecimento tácito não é uma tarefa trivial e um mecanismo de apoio para orientar a fase de elicitação de requisitos em projetos de aplicativos de aprendizagem móvel seria de suma importância. As linguagens de padrões são reconhecidas como método para descrever o conhecimento tácito e podem ser usadas como mecanismo de apoio. Os padrões são um mecanismo para capturar a experiência e o conhecimento do domínio para permitir que ele seja reaplicado quando um novo problema for encontrado. Da mesma forma, os padrões pedagógicos tentam capturar o conhecimento especializado da prática do ensino e da aprendizagem. Com o objetivo de resolver, ou pelo menos minimizar, os problemas associados à aprendizagem móvel e devido à falta de padrões pedagógicos para este propósito, este trabalho tem como objetivo criar uma linguagem de padrões pedagógicos para auxiliar na fase de elicitação de requisitos dos projetos de aplicações de aprendizagem móvel. Neste contexto, foi criada uma linguagem de padrões pedagógicos, denominada MLearning-PL, composta por 14 padrões e cujo foco é auxiliar na definição de aplicativos móveis de maneira a manter os apredizes motivados e comprometidos ao usar tais aplicativos, considerando seus diferentes estilos de aprendizagem e uma aquisição de conhecimento efetiva. Estudos experimentais comparando a MLearning- PL a uma abordagem ad hoc em um cenário de resolução de problemas pedagógicos foram realizados. Os resultados obtidos forneceram evidências preliminares a respeito da aplicabilidade, eficácia e eficiência da MLearning-PL.

The development and use of computational applications to support teaching and learning, together with the evolution of mobile computing, have contributed significantly to the establishment of a new learning modality known as mobile learning. Despite the benefits and facilities offered by educational applications, some problems and issues they present must be addressed. Challenges associated with mobile learning are not limited to developmental aspects or technologies. We should also consider the pedagogical aspects of this kind of application. When dealing with domain-specific software, we must be concerned about domain requirements. Therefore, it is important to have expert knowledge in the requirements engineering team and, in the case of mobile learning applications projects, such knowledge come from educators, teachers and tutors. However, capturing and transferring tacit knowledge are not trivial tasks and a supporting mechanism that guides the requirements elicitation phase in mobile learning applications projects would be of major importance. Pattern languages as a method to describe tacit knowledge is acknowledged and could be used as a supporting mechanism. Patterns constitute a mechanism for capturing domain experience and knowledge to allow such experience and knowledge to be reapplied when a new problem is encountered. Similarly, pedagogical patterns try to capture expert knowledge of the practice of teaching and learning. Aiming to solve, or at least diminish, the problems associated with mobile learning and due the lack of pedagogical patterns for this purpose, this work aims to create a pedagogical pattern language to assist the requirements elicitation phase of mobile learning applications projects. In this context, a pedagogical pattern language, named MLearning-PL, was created. It is composed of 14 patterns and focuses on assisting in the definition of mobile applications in order to keep learners motivated and committed to using such applications, considering their different learning styles and an effective knowledge acquisition. Experimental studies comparing MLearning-PL to an ad hoc approach in a pedagogical problem resolution scenario were conducted. The results obtained provided preliminary evidences of the applicability, effectiveness and efficiency of MLearning-PL. / O desenvolvimento e a utilização de aplicações computacionais como apoio ao ensino e aprendizagem, aliados à evolução da computação móvel, tem contribuído significativamente para o estabelecimento de uma nova modalidade de ensino conhecida como aprendizagem móvel. Neste cenário, as aplicações educacionais existentes, mesmo possuindo diversos benefícios e facilidades, apresentam problemas e desafios. Os desafios associados à aprendizagem móvel não se limitam a aspectos de desenvolvimento ou tecnologias. Deve-se, também, considerar os aspectos pedagógicos deste tipo de aplicação. Ao lidar com software específico de determinado domínio, deve-se considerar os requisitos de tal domínio. Portanto, é importante ter conhecimento especializado na equipe de engenharia de requisitos e, no caso de projetos de aplicativos de aprendizagem móvel, esse conhecimento é proveniente de educadores, professores e tutores. No entanto, capturar e transferir o conhecimento tácito não é uma tarefa trivial e um mecanismo de apoio para orientar a fase de elicitação de requisitos em projetos de aplicativos de aprendizagem móvel seria de suma importância. As linguagens de padrões são reconhecidas como método para descrever o conhecimento tácito e podem ser usadas como mecanismo de apoio. Os padrões são um mecanismo para capturar a experiência e o conhecimento do domínio para permitir que ele seja reaplicado quando um novo problema for encontrado. Da mesma forma, os padrões pedagógicos tentam capturar o conhecimento especializado da prática do ensino e da aprendizagem. Com o objetivo de resolver, ou pelo menos minimizar, os problemas associados à aprendizagem móvel e devido à falta de padrões pedagógicos para este propósito, este trabalho tem como objetivo criar uma linguagem de padrões pedagógicos para auxiliar na fase de elicitação de requisitos dos projetos de aplicações de aprendizagem móvel. Neste contexto, foi criada uma linguagem de padrões pedagógicos, denominada MLearning-PL, composta por 14 padrões e cujo foco é auxiliar na definição de aplicativos móveis de maneira a manter os apredizes motivados e comprometidos ao usar tais aplicativos, considerando seus diferentes estilos de aprendizagem e uma aquisição de conhecimento efetiva. Estudos experimentais comparando a MLearning- PL a uma abordagem ad hoc em um cenário de resolução de problemas pedagógicos foram realizados. Os resultados obtidos forneceram evidências preliminares a respeito da aplicabilidade, eficácia e eficiência da MLearning-PL.

Estudos indicam que a utilização de aplicativos educacionais móveis vêm crescendo continuamente, possibilitando a alunos e professores maior flexibilidade e comodidade na execução de atividades e práticas educacionais. Embora várias instituições já tenham aderido à modalidade de aprendizagem móvel (m-learning), sua adoção ainda traz problemas e desafios organizacionais, culturais e tecnológicos. Um destes problemas consiste em como avaliar adequadamente a qualidade dos aplicativos educacionais desenvolvidos. De fato, os métodos existentes para avaliação da qualidade de software ainda são muito genéricos, não contemplando aspectos específicos aos contextos pedagógico e móvel. Nesse cenário, o presente trabalho apresenta o método MoLEva, desenvolvido para avaliar a qualidade de aplicativos educacionais móveis. O método tem como base a norma ISO/IEC 25000, sendo composto por: (i) modelo de qualidade; (ii) métricas; e (iii) critérios de julgamento. Para validar o método, foram realizados dois estudos de caso; o primeiro consistiu na aplicação do MoLEva para avaliar o aplicativo do ENEM; o segundo consistiu na aplicação do método para avaliação de aplicativos para o ensino de idiomas. A partir dos resultados obtidos, foi possível identificar problemas e pontos de melhoria nos aplicativos avaliados. Além disso, os estudos de caso conduzidos forneceram bons indicativos a respeito da viabilidade de uso do método MoLEva na avaliação de aplicativos educacionais móveis. / Studies indicate that the use of mobile learning applications has grown continuously, allowing students and teachers greater flexibility and convenience in the execution of educational activities and practices. Although several institutions have already adhered to the mobile learning (m-learning) modality, their adoption still brings organizational, cultural and technological problems and challenges. One of these problems is how to adequately evaluated the quality of the mobile learning applications developed. In fact, existing methods for evaluating software quality are still very generic, not considering aspects specific to the pedagogical and mobile contexts. In this scenario, the present work presents the MoLEva method, developed to evaluate the quality of mobile learning applications. The method is based on the ISO / IEC 25000 standard, being composed of: (i) quality model; (ii) metrics; and (iii) criteria of judgment. To validate the method, two case studies were performed; the first consisted of applying MoLEva to evaluate the ENEM application; the second consisted of applying the method for evaluating applications for language teaching. From the obtained results, it was possible to identify problems and improvement points in the evaluated applications. In addition, the case studies conducted provided good indications regarding the feasibility of using the MoLEva method in evaluating mobile learning applications.

Recent accessibility drives and price wars between the major South African (SA) cell phone companies suggest that the landscape for the adoption of mobile learning (m-learning) at the Higher Education Institution (HEI) level may be changing. As such, there is a need to gauge the current mobile readiness of students for m-learning. Mobile technology readiness refers to the extent to which students have access to mobile devices (not only handsets), and can afford data bundles that meet or exceed the requirements of a base set of currently available m-learning applications (Naicker and Van der Merwe 2012). Mobile operational readiness refers to students’ awareness of, attitude towards, support and training that is required for m-learning. This study conducted an assessment of the technology and operational readiness of students at a SA HEI. An in-depth literature survey was undertaken to delineate technology and operational readiness of students for m-learning. For technology readiness, an investigation was conducted on m- learning applications that are currently available and the technology requirements of these mobile applications. This was undertaken to determine the extent that the current student mobile handset profile match these requirements. The literature review also included a search for mobile opeeratratiioonnaall ffaactorctorss ssuuchch aass ssttuuddeennttss’’ aawwaarenerenessss ooff aanndd aattttiittuuddee ttoowwaarrddss mm--lleaearrnininngg as well as m-learning support and training that students require. The philosophical underpinning of this study was based on Activity Theory. The strategy of inquiry employed was a case study approach. Data was collected from students at the Durban University of Technology, a resident based SA HEI. A mixed methods data collection strategy was employed. The researcher used a field survey questionnaire as the primary research instrument to assess mobile technology and operational readiness. Focus group interviews were used as a secondary data gathering tool to triangulate and strengthen the results. The results were presented using descriptive and inferential statistics and were analyzed using the lens of activity theory. In terms of technology readiness, despite a high level of ownership and reasonable compliance with application requirements, data costs remain prohibitive. In assessing operational readiness, despite a positive attitude, the majority of the students require awareness, ongoing support and training. Several recommendations based on the findings are offered. For example, one of the findings showed that mobile connectivity affordability was low amongst students and it is recommended that the HEI work around exorbitant connectivity costs by combining m-learning technologies to form meaningful m-learning approaches at a minimum v cost. Another finding showed low awareness of m-learning at the HEI. A recommendation advanced to combat this finding is for the HEI to encourage and support dialogue among key stakeholders. This study concludes that any m-learning endeavour to implement m-learning at this HEI is bound to fail as only a small percentage of students are aware of m-learning and can afford data bundles to implement m-learning in its true sense. As an implication of this study to other HEI’s, the researcher suggests that regular mobile readiness surveys be conducted. / Science and Technology Education / M. A. (Information Systems)

Recent accessibility drives and price wars between the major South African (SA) cell phone companies suggest that the landscape for the adoption of mobile learning (m-learning) at the Higher Education Institution (HEI) level may be changing. As such, there is a need to gauge the current mobile readiness of students for m-learning. Mobile technology readiness refers to the extent to which students have access to mobile devices (not only handsets), and can afford data bundles that meet or exceed the requirements of a base set of currently available m-learning applications (Naicker and Van der Merwe 2012). Mobile operational readiness refers to students’ awareness of, attitude towards, support and training that is required for m-learning. This study conducted an assessment of the technology and operational readiness of students at a SA HEI. An in-depth literature survey was undertaken to delineate technology and operational readiness of students for m-learning. For technology readiness, an investigation was conducted on m- learning applications that are currently available and the technology requirements of these mobile applications. This was undertaken to determine the extent that the current student mobile handset profile match these requirements. The literature review also included a search for mobile opeeratratiioonnaall ffaactorctorss ssuuchch aass ssttuuddeennttss’’ aawwaarenerenessss ooff aanndd aattttiittuuddee ttoowwaarrddss mm--lleaearrnininngg as well as m-learning support and training that students require. The philosophical underpinning of this study was based on Activity Theory. The strategy of inquiry employed was a case study approach. Data was collected from students at the Durban University of Technology, a resident based SA HEI. A mixed methods data collection strategy was employed. The researcher used a field survey questionnaire as the primary research instrument to assess mobile technology and operational readiness. Focus group interviews were used as a secondary data gathering tool to triangulate and strengthen the results. The results were presented using descriptive and inferential statistics and were analyzed using the lens of activity theory. In terms of technology readiness, despite a high level of ownership and reasonable compliance with application requirements, data costs remain prohibitive. In assessing operational readiness, despite a positive attitude, the majority of the students require awareness, ongoing support and training. Several recommendations based on the findings are offered. For example, one of the findings showed that mobile connectivity affordability was low amongst students and it is recommended that the HEI work around exorbitant connectivity costs by combining m-learning technologies to form meaningful m-learning approaches at a minimum cost. Another finding showed low awareness of m-learning at the HEI. A recommendation advanced to combat this finding is for the HEI to encourage and support dialogue among key stakeholders. This study concludes that any m-learning endeavour to implement m-learning at this HEI is bound to fail as only a small percentage of students are aware of m-learning and can afford data bundles to implement m-learning in its true sense. As an implication of this study to other HEI’s, the researcher suggests that regular mobile readiness surveys be conducted. / Science and Technology Education / M. Sc. (Information Systems)