Call for Papers
 

The Intricacies of Mobility

Early definitions of mobile learning focused on the mobility of the technology. They described mobile learning as: “elearning through mobile computational devices: Palms, Windows CE machines, even your digital cell phone.” (Quinn 2000).

Recently, definitions of mobile learning have shifted their focus from the mobility of the technology to the mobility of the learner. Accordingly, researching mobile learning requires studying: “…how the mobility of learners augmented by personal and public technology can contribute to the process of gaining new knowledge, skills, and experience” (Sharples et al. 2007).

The change in emphasis from the mobility of the technology to the mobility of the learner is a significant one in that it signifies a broadening of the many dimensions of mobility that interplay in enabling learning.
This provides us with a more comprehensive outlook into the inherent complexity of the notion of mobility in mobile learning. Such complexity encompasses among others, mobility in physical space, mobility in conceptual space, mobility in social space and mobility of technology (Sharples et al. 2007).

This multidimensional view of mobility enriches the discourse in this area of research and poses additional challenges. The IADIS Mobile Learning 2008 International Conference seeks to provide a forum for the discussion and presentation of mobile learning research. In particular, we aim to further our understanding of mobile learning from the standpoint of learner mobility. We seek to explore how the multiple perspectives of mobility and the interactions among these influence and enhance current definitions, design, and evaluation
of mobile learning.

TOPICS

Mobility in Physical Space
Submissions under this topic should critically explore the implications of learner mobility in physical space in relation to how the physical space may contribute to the learner’s acquisition of new knowledge, skills, and experience. Physical spaces may include, amongst others, formal and informal learning settings, work place, home and recreational environments.

Mobility in Conceptual Space
Under this topic we seek contributions that will investigate the notion of learner mobility in conceptual space. Conceptual spaces may include, amongst others, domain specific content, curriculum based content, recreational content and content generated by personal interests.

Mobility in Social Space
We invite submissions under this topic that examine learner mobility in social space. Social spaces may include, amongst others, formal and informal learning situations, professional, family, and recreational interactions.

Mobility of Technology
Under this topic we request contributions that will investigate mobility of technology from the perspective of the learner. We seek submissions that examine how learners transition and alternate from one tool to another or from one device to another in order to perform tasks. Transitions may be determined by numerous factors such as access to technology and resources or suitability of the technology in relation to the task at hand.

Interplay between Different Dimensions of Mobility
We invite submissions under this topic that examine the interplay of two or more dimensions of mobility. We are keen on exploring how the added complexity of transition between dimensions of mobility, for example from social space to conceptual space or from social space to the mobility of technology space, influences learning processes.

Additional Dimensions of Mobility
Under this topic we seek contributions that propose additional dimensions of learner mobility and that examine how these dimensions contribute to learners’ acquisition of new knowledge, skills and experiences.

Contributions under all of the above topics may include, but are not limited to, the investigation of areas such as:

• How do the different conceptualisations of learner mobility contribute to current definitions of mobile learning?

• Designing learning experiences, tools, and technologies that support learner mobility in spaces (for example
  mobility from one physical space to another or from one conceptual space to the next), and between
  dimensions of mobility (for example from social space to conceptual space or from social space to the mobility of technology space).

• Educational pedagogies and approaches that support learner mobility in spaces and between dimensions of
  mobility.

• Learner mobility in spaces and between dimensions of mobility as a learning context.

• Studies that report on experiences of learner mobility in spaces and between dimensions of mobility.

• Research methodologies to evaluate learner mobility in spaces and between dimensions of mobility

• Technologies and tools to facilitate learner mobility in spaces and between dimensions of mobility.
   

References:

Quinn, C. (2000) mLearning: Mobile, Wireless, in your Pocket Learning. LineZine, Fall 2000. http://www.linezine.com/2.1/features/cqmmwiyp.htm.
Sharples, M., Arnedillo Sánchez I., Milrad M., Vavoula G. Mobile Learning: Small Devices, Big Issues in Technology Enhanced Learning: Principles and Products (in press) http://telearn.noe-kaleidoscope.org/open-archive/browse?browse=collection/30/publication&index=0&filter=all&param=30

An academic conference is itself an exercise in learning. Accordingly, proposals as to how mobile technology can enhance the conference experience are invited.

The Conference will be composed of several types of contributions:

• Full Papers – These include mainly accomplished research results and have 8 pages at the maximum (5,000 words).

• Short Papers – These are mostly composed of work in progress reports or fresh developments and have 4 pages at maximum (2,500 words).

• Reflection Papers – These might review recent research literature pertaining to a particular problem or approach, indicate what the findings suggest, and/or provide a suggestion - with rationale and justification - for a different approach or perspective on that problem. Reflection papers might also analyze general trends or discuss important issues in topics related to Mobile Learning. These have 4 pages at maximum (2,500 words).

• Posters / Demonstrations – These have one page at the maximum (625 words) besides the poster itself (or demonstration) that will be exposed at the conference.

• Tutorials – Tutorials can be proposed by scholars or company representatives. A proposal of maximum 250 words is expected.

• Panels – Discussions on selected topics will be held. A proposal of maximum 250 words is expected.

• Invited Talks – These will be made of contributions from well-known scholars and company representatives. An abstract will be included in the conference proceedings.

• Doctoral Consortium - The Doctoral Consortium will discuss on going work of PhD students in an informal and formative atmosphere. Contributions to the consortium should take the form of either:

• a critical literature review of the research topic providing the rationale for the relevance and interest of the research topic; or

• a short paper discussing the research question(s), research objectives, research methodology and work done so far.

   Doctoral Consortium Contributions should have a maximum 2,500 words (4 pages).

• Corporate Showcases & Exhibitions – The former enables Companies to present recent developments and applications, inform a large and qualified audience of your future directions and showcase company’s noteworthy products and services. There will be a time slot for companies to make their presentation in a room. The latter enables companies the opportunity to display its latest offerings of hardware, software, tools, services and books, through an exhibit booth. For further details please contact the publicity chair - ml-sec@iadis.org.

All submissions, except invited talks, are subject to a blind refereeing process.

Important Dates:

 - Submission deadline (2nd call): 28 January 2008
 - Notification to Authors (2nd call): 25 February 2008
 - Final Camera-Ready Submission and Early Registration (1st call): Until 24 January 2008
 - Late Registration (1st call): After 24 January 2008
 - Conference: Algarve, Portugal, 10 to 13 April 2008

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