The Phalanx Covenant: Do we need the X-Men to evaluate some ubiquitous learning scenarios?

Abstract

The rapid evolution of Information and Communication Technologies offers countless possibilities for innovative learning. With the aim of giving answer to current ubiquity in learning, some pervasive learning scenarios involve the integration of very heterogeneous spaces, such as different web and physical environments, and even virtual worlds. Despite there have been several efforts in the field to promote continuous learning experiences in these scenarios, there is still a lack of research done on how to better make sense and evaluate them. In this paper we propose a number of issues that could be taken into account when assessing ubiquitous learning situations. Responsiveness to participants needs and constrains, the incorporation of evaluation since the early stages of learning designs, participants´ intervention in the evaluation design/enactment and the use of ad-hoc technological artifacts for data gathering, constitute some of the emergent aspects we have identified to minimize evaluation uncertainty in these settings.