A System to Facilitate Cognitive Mobile Learning: Learn T-SQL

Abstract

The main purpose of this research is to find a solution to the practical problem of facilitating cognitive learning through a mobile learning environment. Although M-learning is economically feasible and devices readily available at cheaper prices, developing mobile applications for cognitive learning of programming languages that consider different learning needs and provide immediate recommendations is difficult. This is not only because of the problems generally present in e-learning but also due to the challenges of the miniature landscape available in most mobile devices. Learning programing is difficult for most students taking technical courses. It is especially so for students doing business degrees. The omnipresence of instructors facilitating such learning is useful, as is the ease of access to computers and other online resources. Experienced teachers who facilitate learning well and who are competent in the language taught are difficult to find. In this study, research previously done was extended to teach SQL within an e-learning environment founded on the recommender-generating online learning systems (REGIONLS) framework. REGIONLS is based on well-proven Decision Support System and Recommender System Frameworks and the moderate constructivist learning paradigm. In this research we extend REGIONLS that uses a PC-based client-server environment to develop a web-based mobile application to teach T-SQL, which is a query language used to communicate with the Microsoft SQL server database. Key challenges were due to the shift from a PC-based environment to a mobile environment. Using Design Science Research guidelines, we design, build and evaluate a mobilelearning system to teach T-SQL to tertiary students. The key contribution of this study is to facilitate cognitive learning with immediate feedback through devices smaller than a PC, yet, with ease of use. Other contributions include the pedagogical shift in cognitive learning from e-learning to m-learning environments, re-arranging the content displayed to be effective and easy to comprehend, within m-learning , designing the visualization for these applications, and reducing the workload of learning facilitators to make the system more sustainable.