Poster: Determining a Network and Pedagogical Efficient Approach to Learning in Disruptive Environments

Context The peculiar technological challenges of developing countries have impaired E-learning. Poor supply of bandwidth for E-learning due to cost has led to delayed response times across the internet. Technical knowledge in developing E-learning systems does not suffice for an understanding in pedagogical approach to effective learning. Purpose or Goal To leverage the ubiquitous nature of mobile devices, which has overcome the challenges of E-learning on traditional desktop computing environments, this research developed an intelligent mobile learning system (IMLS) using multi-agents. Ubiquitous learning (u-learning) provides the learner the freedom from learning environments, learning devices and learning content format and rather emphasize on the constructivist and behaviourist learning processes and cognitive development among learners. The ubiquitous learning environment (ULE) evolves more context awareness to provide most adaptive content for learners. M-learning application based on mobile devices fits into the u-learning paradigm. Approach A multi-agent framework known as the Java Agent Development Environment (JADE) was employed in the development of the M-learning system. Three agents were deployed; authentication, tutorial, and the assessment agents, respectively. For performance evaluation, the study also developed a similar non-agent system, fed with the same database and both monitored with network monitoring tools. The study also evaluated different pedagogical approaches through online survey in order to gain insight into users' preferred learning style. Actual or Anticipated Outcomes Results of the response times of the IMLS when compared with a non-agent counterpart showed the IMLS being five times faster. The results from the survey suggested that majority of the respondents were split between constructivist and behaviorist approaches of learning. This result is significant as the multi-agents drastically reduce bandwidth demand, thereby reducing cost and at the same time ensuring that throughput was maintained.