Using IMS learning design to author authentic learning examples in mobile context

Modern mobile devices are equipped with input and sensor options that allow for user generated content, which can be used to create examples of real life learning situations, or authentic learning examples. However, existing research shows a gap between the creation of authentic learning examples and their subsequent reuse as learning objects. Therefore, the goal of this research is to design a mechanism to author authentic learning examples in a standardized format to enable reuse using mobile devices. The implementation, Mobile Authentic Authoring in IMS (MAAIMS), captures authentic learning examples with the mobile device sensors (still camera, video camera, microphone) which can be supplemented with location-aware GPS coordinates and other descriptive metadata following IMS Metadata specifications. MAAIMS encapsulates these authentic learning examples and employs them as standardized learning objects (IMS Content Packages), and optionally as, standardized learning activities (IMS Learning Designs). The mechanism allows for sharing and reuse of authentically created learning examples and learning activities in multiple contexts.