Was ‘Ubiquitous learning and computing’ , a result of known, yet accepted lacunae of obsolete way of teaching in traditional educational system that was desperately seeking attention for change? Or

Was it an automatic and natural extension of growing use of computing technology in the field of education, like how we all use WhatsApp for communication or do Internet banking there? Or

Is it that it has suddenly become the topic of discussion today due to forced online schooling and remote learning in the current scenario as a result of pandemic!!

Well, all of these. The emergence of Ubiquitous learning was inevitable with SMART technology and Internet of Things all over. Every moment is a learning or communication or information or decision, regardless of people and tangibility. Ubiquitous computing in Education possibly happened as a Natural extension. Ubiquitous learning was been there for long, whether in form of MOOC or distance education or simple homework submission or online assessment. It is gaining recognition now and has been given a NAME.

Ubiquitous learning can be defined as an everyday learning environment that is supported by mobile and embedded computers and wireless networks in our everyday life (Ogata et al. 2009). It is aimed to provide learners with content and interaction anytime and anywhere (Hwang et al. 2008)

In the last few days of setting my eyes on this topic, I have gained tremendously through Ubiquitous learning environment. Now, that we know so much on how to use technology that some great scientists have made, we can actually do so much to enhance our individual learning experience and teaching inputs for a wholesome and engaging learning. Ubiquitous learning is here to stay.

I have a personal experience of my child who is more comfortable and happy after start of remote teaching classes. Her peer assessment and teacher assessment is on-going through google docs for her e-portfolios, the classes allow her to be what she is, and asynchronous learning is really helping her to get into any breadths and depth at her pace. Learning is all time and anytime.

As a teacher I am especially satisfied with the continuous recursive feedback I can give and receive. It is so much meaningful to give ongoing feedback (Constitutive- helping in future) rather than retrospective (about past and it is continuous not confined to time or space. This is the biggest component of affordances under Ubiquitous learning that I enjoy.

Platforms like ‘See-saw’ and LMS like Google classroom has made the mundane process of assignment, submissions, feedback more interesting and enabled individual engagement. I have students who are now motivated, self-driven and more participative. Education companies have made learning materials ever more available. eLearning reduces many traditional barriers to education, including like distance, cost, individual learning styles, accessibility to materials, limitation of time and space. There are already more than 2.5 million K-12 students enrolled in online learning courses in the US, along with 32% (approx. 6.7 million) higher ed students.

Padlet, Edpuzzle, Kahoot, Khan academy, Jam boards, Quizizz have made learning so much fun, interactive. All the above teaching/learning apps are aligned to LMS which makes assignment of tasks, due date tracking real-time. Students see their work together during online class and continue to work with each other after the class. There is a lot of query and interactions due to these tools even after ‘ school hours’

Learning in car, with a mobile, learning outside your home, watching and re-watching video, asking doubts real time, and any time are meaningful and evident benefits that Ubiquitous style of learning has given

However, being a conditioned teacher brought up in traditional environment I do want to share my concerns.

Some students seem better and happier when in group with real friends and a teacher. Screen time has significantly increased, and students are getting used to, too much things on platter that they may lose the quality of ‘waiting’. There is too much customization and multi modal learning importance that students need to put no efforts to make the ‘effort of learning.’

Older individuals are suited well for a total shift into Ubiquitous computing and e-learning. Mid - school on- it is a fine fit, here the members know what they want and they are often self-motivated to enroll into a course and pass!! Like I want to do this Coursera course so, I will give my best and have positive mindset up But for children lower than ten years, I think the foundations of human interaction that have symbols through social memory and emotional ideas are very essential. The critical role of social-emotional development starting at birth and continuing throughout the lifespan is an understatement. Not having technology dependence and convenience brings some structure, discipline and drive. If e-learning takes over education in the name of Ubiquitous learning a new type of information overflow and input waste can happen.

I am from India, and there are bound to be lot of teething troubles. One Accessibility to smart devices and education on use different applications, platforms, getting parents to change views could be a challenge. It should not be a case of haves and Have nots. How do one alter the home environment where my students are sitting? Students will miss out of Collective Social intelligence.

Are we moving towards further self-isolating ourselves, social distancing to mental distancing? Are we moving into a teacherless environment?

Some skills like gratification, waiting, observation, awareness of environment, self-driven research, making errors and learning, making primary research, improving all styles of learning within me, all of which made me strong came through traditional pedagogy

In my humble opinion, for early years Hybrid classes or blended classes will be great idea. Hybrid" or "Blended" are names commonly used to describe courses in which some traditional face-to-face "seat time" has been replaced by online learning activities. I have been thrilled with scop of Gamification is known as an effective way to drive behavior change and to increase knowledge retention. Personal Learning assistant like LORAMS where learning videos can be made and shared be useful. Recent advances in sensor technologies have les to development of learning environment, called ‘ context-aware learning ubiquitous learning environment’ which is able to sense the situation of learners and provide adaptive supports.

I conclude Ubiquitous computing and shift to e-learning is inevitable and has lot of merits. Let’s embrace for a better future being mindful of some sole human attributes

Citing, credits and references-

1.Jones, V. & Jo, J.H. (2004). Ubiquitous learning environment: An adaptive teaching

system using ubiquitous technology. In R. Atkinson, C. McBeath, D. Jonas-Dwyer & R. Phillips (Eds), Beyond the comfort zone: Proceedings of the 21st ASCILITE Conference (pp. 468-474. Perth, 5-8 December. http://www.ascilite.org.au/conferences/perth04/procs/jones.html

2.Ubiquitous learning (Ogata et al. 2009 (Hwang et al. 2008).

3. Andrew Wright, I.L.I. International Languages Institute Ltd, Hungaryfor publication in the international online professional ELT magazine called HumanisingLanguage Teaching (HLT magazine), June 2017

4.https://languageschoolwebpage-live-58049055e3804f54bc01835b7532-c556ccd.s3.amazonaws.com/filer_public/6a/86/6a86cca3-6ed3-46ed-bad0-0efddce7ff38/article_ubiquitous_disadvantage-aw-kepekkel.pdf

5.https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007%2F978-1-4419-1428-6_224

6.Hwang, G.-J., Tsai, C.-C., & Yang, S. J. H. (2008). Criteria, strategies and research issues of context-aware ubiquitous learning. Educational Technology & Society, 11(2), 81–91.

7.Ogata, H., Matsuka, Y., El-Bishouty, M. M., & Yano, Y. (2009). LORAMS: Linking physical objects and videos for capturing and sharing learning experiences towards ubiquitous learning. International Journal of Mobile Learning and Organisation, 3(4), 337–350.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

8.Shih, J.-L., Chu, H., Hwang, G.-J., & Kinshuk (2011). An investigation of attitudes of students and teachers about participating in a context-aware ubiquitous learning activity. British Journal of Educational Technology, 42(3), 373–394.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

9.Floortime- Social emotional relationship from birth to lifelong 10.https://elearningindustry.com/ubiquitous-learning-every-education-organization-needs-know

11.https://www.profweb.ca/en/publications/real-life-stories/teaching-with-interactive-videos-thanks-to-edpuzzle

12. https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/seesaw-education-app/

13.https://sites.psu.edu/hybridlearning/what-is-hybrid/

14.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S074756321630855X

15.Workshop videos by Dr. James Paul Gee Arizona University- Society or School: What Determines Educational Outcomes?

16. https://www.flickr.com/photos/gforsythe/7704609288/

17. Works by Dr. William Cope and Dr. Mary Kalantzis, College of Education