Navigation Support for Mobile Learning

Mobile learning exposes learning to the natural environment. If this environment is large, the learners have to navigate to find the learning objects or to explore the environment. Current mobile learning systems provide only minimal navigational support. Prior studies report that conventional pedestrian information systems are not suited to mobile learning, as the learners focus too much on the navigation system. In this paper we analyze issues in navigational support and provide evidence for the lack of support in current systems. Then we propose and evaluate how mobile learning systems can not only provide better navigation support, but also prevent the focus problem. The tested concepts include using an aura to visualize the accuracy, using history visualization for orientation and browsing support, and using information pull to focus more on the environment. Recommendations for further research conclude the paper.