Sponsors: 21 colleges and universities: University of Wisconsin (WI); Central Missouri State University (MO); Bowling Green State University (OH); East Carolina University (NC); Texas Southern University (TX); North Carolina A&T State University (NC); Central Connecticut State University (CT); Indiana State University (IN); Shasta College (CA); University of Maryland/Baltimore (MD); San Francisco State University (CA); College of the Redwoods (CA); University of Louisiana (LA); Craven Community College (NC); Pitt Community College (NC); Morehead State University (KY); Forsythe Technical Community College (NC); Wentworth Institute of Technology (MA); Northern Kentucky University (KY); Somerset Community College (KY); Catawba Valley Community College (NC); and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (MI).

Mobile professionals need to utilize blocks of time for learning when they become available during their hectic work schedules or during quiet times that appear unexpectedly. These opportunities for study frequently occur in places where a continuous connection to the Internet is not always possible or during peak Internet traffic hours from 6:00 to 11:00 p.m. Therefore if a wire line connection is available, learners would experience slow file downloads and server response which spoils the spontaneity of learning and limits interaction.

OWLS provides a strategy for delivering courses or training to busy professionals who, because of their hectic work schedules, geographical location, or time constraints, find it difficult to commit to study at a university or training institute. OWLS can be used independently or it can seamlessly complement any online course management system.

There are four components to OWLS: 1) OWLS Software Development Kit (SDK) to package bandwidth intensive audio, video, and artificial intelligence software on course media creating interactive learning experiences; 2) hardware and software enabling both wireless and wired connectivity to the Internet when it is accessible; 3) Internet Tool Chest—tutorials on the course media; and 4) Snatch and Go Solutions using handheld computers (PDAs)for weekly lessons, exams, and access to electronic journals. OWLS is not hardware-specific and can be used with PC desktops, laptops, Windows CE devices, Palm OS, and Pocket PC PDAs. Access to information is provided through: 1) wireline connection to the Internet; 2) wireless connection; and 3) stand-alone access to intelligent courseware using an OWLS CD, Secure Digital (SD) card, or through a “hot-synced” PDA.

The OWLS staff have created development software (Software Development Kit, version 3.83), AI-based case studies, Internet Tool Chest, Smart Courses for the Society of Manufacturing Engineers and the East Carolina University School of Nursing, PDA tutorials, an integrative system to use OWLS with the Blackboard course management system, courses providing course content on campus and for online learners with PDAs, ASK (Assessing Student Knowledge) student interactive quizzing software to PDAs and wireless laptops with the ECU School of Medicine, Web-4M initiatives for collaborative learning, and have established wireless e-learning environments with two area coffee shops. Mobile Showcases have been delivered to the OWLS faculty, and to colleges, universities, and professional organizations throughout the United States. Currently 43 OWLS courses have been offered to 1,132 students at the associate, bacheloreate, and doctoral levels, with a 95 percent learner completion rate in all of these courses.

During the spring 2000 semester, three OWLS courses were compared to comparable courses being taught on campus. A pretest/posttest was used on all groups to determine differences in learning. The analysis showed no significant difference at p<.01. Surveys on learning styles and demographics were also conducted to enable the evaluation group to begin to develop a profile for students who are successful in distance learning courses.

OWLS has proven its usefulness as a learning anytime, anyplace (LAAP) solution for developing and delivering training and education to business, industry, and education. The OWLS system is constantly evolving, and has led to the formation of the East Carolina University Interdisciplinary Center for Wireless and Mobile Computing (CWMC). Current emphases include the use of intelligent agents, a PDA-friendly website, and e-books on SD cards for the Palm OS and Pocket PC. For the mobile professional, it is becoming apparent that the PDA is rapidly becoming the preferred device for access to LAAP using the snatch-and-go approach to education. The OWLS/CWMC Technology Innovation Council is creating interuniversity initiatives to advance the application of wireless and mobile devices for teaching and learning.

ONLINE REFERENCES: 

Center for Wireless and Mobile Computing
   http://www.cwmc.ecu.edu  

OWLS, Online Wireless Learning Solutions
   http://www.owls.ecu.edu  

J. Barry DuVall
Project Director

East Carolina University
Division of Academic
  Affairs, Center for
  Wireless and Mobile
  Computing
1807 Charles Blvd.
Greenville, NC 27858
Tel: 252-328-2430
Fax: 252-328-2754

View Personal Web Site

Matthew Powell

East Carolina University
Division of Academic
  Affairs, Center for
  Wireless and Mobile
  Computing
1807 Charles Blvd.
Greenville, NC 27858
Tel: 252-328-4861
Fax: 252-328-2754

View Personal Web Site