An InfoStation-based multi-agent system supporting contextualised and personalised mLearning service delivery

The main work reported in this thesis is the proposition, design and implementation of a novel InfoStation-based multi-agent system, which facilitates the delivery of contextualised and personalised mobile eLearning (mLearning) services, to supplement the traditional educational experience. In support of refining the motivation for this initiative a comprehensive investigation into the evolution, status, characteristics and attributes of technology enhanced learning was carried out and is reported here. This includes details on a number of recent initiatives in the use of eLearning within educational institutions. The design and establishment of the InfoStation-based enhanced mLearning architecture reported here is based on an agent-oriented approach, so as to facilitate the requisite system flexibility and adaptability. Towards this end, the Java Agent DEvelopment (JADE) framework was incorporated to support the development and management of intelligent software agents within the multi-agent system. The approach towards deployment of agents within mobile environments, along with the protocols and communications mechanisms supporting communications between mobile and serverbased agents, is set out. The mechanisms and designs to realise and support the key general system goal, as well as the functionality supporting the contextualisation and personalisation of services, which are presented to system users, through the incorporation of the Wireless Universal Resource FiLe (WURFL), are described. This includes mechanisms supporting the resolution of requesting-device capabilities to provide contextualisation information, as well as user-specific personalisation information, so as to facilitate effective service delivery customised to the user-device as well as the user. Furthermore, in conjunction with the implementation of the main components, this thesis presents and elaborates on a suite of mobile learning (mLearning) services incorporated into this system. This includes detailing interactions and interoperations within the main system components in facilitating each service. The presentation highlights various design choices and decisions, together with the process through which each was developed. Finally, the deployment of the system is described. Various evaluation tests of the system’s effectiveness in supporting educational practices are reported, and ideas for further development and enhancement presented. The author has also published much of the research reported here in international peer reviewed journal papers (8), papers within conferences proceedings (31) as well as other edited book chapters (5).