The Development of Context-Aware Ubiquitous English Learning System

The purpose of this study is to create an environment for a situated English learning environment. While situated learning is easy sense-making in bilingual language learning, ubiquitous learning environment should be given as first step. The technologies adopted in this study are based on wireless and RDFID to implement a Ubiquitous English Learning System (UELS). Through the UELS environment, learners can learn English in a context-aware environment. The results of this study show 2 learning scenario in medical rescue and restaurant via movie dialogue. The implications of this study are also included. Key-Words: Ubiquitous Learning, Situated Learning, Context-Aware, Language Learning 1 The motivation of this study Learning a second language consists of phonology, morphology, lexicology, syntax) and semantics [1]. If those factors are taken into account in learning a second language, learning second language will be an abstract discipline for learners [2]. From the semantics formation and presentation process, learners must have many important background knowledge such as semantic understanding and presentation skills in terms of learners’ mental status on social, time, space, and inter-relationships in real situated environment. To let learners to comprehend all factors together is beyond traditional textbook capabilities to provide [3]. Those dynamic factors can be accumulated by multimedia data-bank except the learning background knowledge embedded in learners’ mind [4]. Due to technological development on multimedia in networking, ubiquitous learning environment is possible to be implemented for learners. Thank to wireless technological development, learning environment and the way of learning have been dramatically changed during the last decade, ubiquitous learning environment offers another option for learning beyond traditional classroom provided by lecture-oriented instruction. After promoting e-Taiwan, M-Taiwan by Taiwan government in 1990s, U(Ubiquitous)-Taiwan is an emerging issue in Taiwan education in 21st century. In a national project, the new technologies consist of RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) and wireless network with broadband. It integrates digital family, internet, and wireless facilities to provide ubiquitous learning. Taiwan government does hope that the ubiquitous learning can make Taiwan in the map like the first Taiwan miracle in PC manufacture since 1980s. The U-Taiwan project mainly applies RFID technology to show the ubiquitous learning in real context. Fortunately, context-aware is mature enough recently [5] and can be design to fulfill ubiquitous learning environment while many communities have facilities to support learners to communicate more intensively. Therefore, how to analyze and develop an environment to support ubiquitous learning is a highly challenges task in Taiwan because it covers software design to meet teaching and learning based on current hardware capability. In this study, we focus on development an English Learning because Taiwan government like another Asia countries have put immeasurable efforts in English Learning with low achievement [6]. Based on the above statements, this study develops an English Learning environment for freshmen at National Cheng-Kung University and Ming Chuan University in Taiwan. Two factors are English scenario courseware design and its development of the ubiquitous learning environment.