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Saturday, April 20, 2013

New Issue: International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies Vol 7, No 2 (2013)

International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies (iJIM) has just published its latest issue.


Review the Table of Contents below and then visit the website to review articles and items of interest.

Table of Contents 

 Papers  

Study of QPSK Modulator and Demodulator in WirelesCommunication System Using MATLAB
By Sharief Nasr Abdel-Razeq, Areej Salah Al-Azzeh and Rawan Yousef Ayyoub

Abstract  
Quadrature Phase-Shift Keying (QPSK) modulation technique is one of the most widely used modulation scheme in modern digital communication system; it provides high performance on bandwidth efficiency. In this paper, the model of QPSK modulator and demodulator has been simulated using MATLAB Simulink.

The Implications of Mobile Notifications for User Experience of a Social Network Service  
By Sami Vihavainen and Kaisa Väänänen-Vainio-Mattila

Abstract 
Smartphones enable an always-on connection to Social Network Services (SNS). A typical way of interacting with SNSs is to access them when the user has a suitable situation to check the status of her social networks or to write an update. One way to enhance the usage of SNSs is to have the service automatically push notifications about events to the smartphone user interface. However, there is no research on how users experience such SNS notifications. We present an explorative field study with 11 participants to assess how users experience mobile notifications compared to reading SNS content manually, initiated by the user. The participants first used Facebook for a month without notifications and then for a month with an application called Socially that sends frequent notifications about Facebook events to the user’s smartphone desktop. The participants who kept the notification feature on reported increased reading of Facebook. However, after a while, many were unwilling to receive the notifications, mainly because of lack of control. We report the qualitative findings on user experience, which reveal for example, that the use of mobile notifications decreases interest in Facebook. Notifications limit user control, and using Facebook feels more meaningful when accessed manually. Implications for design are discussed. 

Students' Attitudes in Colleges of Education at the Jordanian Universities towards Mobile Phone Usage in University Education   
By Khalid Yousef Qudah, Jebreen A Hussain and Reem Al Matari

Abstract 
The aim of this study was to investigate the students' attitudes in the colleges of education at the Jordanian universities toward the use of mobile phones in education, according to the University which is attended by the student, gender, and academic level of the student. The study sample consisted of (363) students selected randomly cluster from the colleges of education at the Jordanian universities: The Hashemite University, Yarmouk and University of Jordan for the academic year 2010-2011. The instrument was a questionnaire developed by the researchers. The results showed that the percentage of students who indicated positive attitudes towards mobile phone use in university education is high. The results also showed that there were significant differences in the attitudes of students of the colleges of education in Jordanian universities towards mobile phone use in university education attributed to the variable of the university and in favor of the Hashemite University. The results showed no significant differences in students' attitudes toward mobile phone use in university education attributed to gender. Findings also revealed that there presence of statistically significant differences in students' attitudes toward mobile phone use in university education attributed to the variable of academic level in favor of master degree students. 

Aspects of Content, Context and Adaptation Modeling in Mobile Learning Application Design  
By Nagella Uday Bhaskar, Surya Narayana Raju, Govindarajulu Paladugu and VenkataRamana Reddy

Abstract 
Mobile leaning application development has been influenced by the e-learning models, methods and a variation of these for the better understanding and accommodation of additional elements that prop up in m-learning scenarios and applications. Here uniquely designed models for various aspects of m-learning scenarios and situations by concentrating on Learner Styles or Contextual Features or Learning Content or Learner Behavior or Adaptation methods are proposed. 

Evolving Payment Platform for Developing Countries 
By Rodrigue Carlos Nana Mbinkeu

Abstract  
This article shows the impact of the growing adoption of mobile phones in the field of money transfer in Africa but also their uses in the field of retail payments or micropayments that is financial transaction from person to person (P2P) for small amounts. We show how these innovations will continue to improve the quality of life of Africans especially those in rural areas. We present M-Pesa as a mobile payment system which has had great success in Kenya. We identify the fundamental principles of success thus this enabled us to create an ECOPAY platform which is an innovative mobile payment system. Our platform provides different types of m-payment like as B2C, B2B or P2P using the mobile phone or others devices. Each transaction is secure by using encrypted message and encrypted connection between the devices and the ECOPAY servers.

Guidelines on Implementing Successful Seamless Learning Environments: a Practitioners’ Perspective
By Uosaki, Hiroaki Ogata, Mengmeng Li and Bin Hou and Kousuke Mouri  

Abstract 
This paper describes implementation guidelines for ubiquitous seamless mobile learning featuring the learning-log system named SCROLL (System for Capturing and Reminding of Learning Log). This system helps users to share and remind ubiquitous learning experiences. We review recent researches on mobile assisted learning in order to set pedagogically-based guidelines for instructors, learning environment designers and the administrative end or decision makers including ICT coordinator, and local authorities. Main foci in our guidelines are for language teachers to practice SROLL-based mobile learning in their classes for both in-class and out-class learning according to their situation or conditions. Our goal is to help educators to implement an effective seamless mobile learning environment with SCROLL.

Mobile Support in CSCW Applications and Groupware Development Frameworks
By David Johnson 

Abstract 
Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW) is an established subset of the field of Human Computer Interaction that deals with the how people use computing technology to enhance group interaction and collaboration. Mobile CSCW has emerged as a result of the progression from personal desktop computing to the mobile device platforms that are ubiquitous today.
CSCW aims to not only connect people and facilitate communication through using computers; it aims to provide conceptual models coupled with technology to manage, mediate, and assist collaborative processes. Mobile CSCW research looks to fulfil these aims through the adoption of mobile technology and consideration for the mobile user. Facilitating collaboration using mobile devices brings new challenges. Some of these challenges are inherent to the nature of the device hardware, while others focus on the understanding of how to engineer software to maximize effectiveness for the end-users. This paper reviews seminal and state-of-the-art cooperative software applications and development frameworks, and their support for mobile devices. 

Enhanced Practical Wireless Communications Education via Blended Instructional Tools  
By Ashraf Tahat, Ahmad Jamal and Mohammad Kalbouneh 

Abstract 
Today's graduating telecommunications engineers need marketable skills that are typically developed beyond the traditional classrooms. These skills set can be acquired by experimenting for hands-on experience that resembles the professional field workplace. In this paper, we address blending of methodologies, applications, and the use of the Internet for delivery of knowledge, and instruction in an undergraduate wireless communications engineering course. This solution combines several different delivery methods, such as face-to-face, team collaboration, field measurements, in conjunction with high-end professional simulation software. Two examples of handover in a dual-mode cellular network and radio frequency (RF) signal propagation modeling are considered. Demonstrations and verification of theoretical models are presented based-on blending of instructional means. Lessons are learned to enhance hands-on experiments beyond traditional laboratories to strengthen in-depth analysis, learning skills of students, in addition to promoting proper team collaboration on projects.

Source: International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies