Review on the Sensor Technology Applied in the Intelligent Learning Environment

doi:10.4236/cn.2013.51B016

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Communications and Network, 2013, 5, 69-72

doi:10.4236/cn.2013.51B016 Published Online February 2013 (http://www.scirp.org/journal/cn)

Review on the Sensor Technology Applied in the

Intelligent Learning Environment

Jinhua Chen1, Ying Li2, Jing Song3

1School of Computer and Information Engineering, Yibin University, Yibin , PRC

2School of computer & information science, Southwest University, Chongqin, PRC

3School of information science & technology, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, PRC

Email: [email protected], lywjl@swu.edu.cn, [email protected]

Received 2012

ABSTRACT

The development of sensor technology promotes the transformation of the intelligent learning environment. Through

the research of the sensor technology application, this paper described the intelligent learning environment application

system of the sensor technology and the management functions, conference organization, a library building, information

collection, monitoring and equipment sharing function the role of sensor technology played in the intelligent learning

environment.

Keywords: Sensor; The Intelligent Learning Environment; Application; Review

The sensor technology is one of the rapid development

high techno logy of the world. If we tak e the computer as

the extension of the human brain, then the sensor is the

extension of human facial features.[1]The sensor tech-

nology is the important technical support of the intelli-

gent learning environment construction, the paper com-

ments on the sensor technology applied in the intelligent

learning environment.

1. Overview of Related Concepts

1.1. Sensor Technology

The sensor is the device or devices that can extract and

perceive information, and convert it into usable output

signal in accordance with certain rules. With the rapid

development of science and technology, today's intelli-

gent sensor has the automatic data acquisition, storage,

memory and information processing functions.[2]Such as

the combination of light and color sensors, infrared sen-

sors, ambient light sensor and LED can improve the

comfort feeling of class participation.[3]The picture and

sound sensors are real-time collection and testing of

learners' facial expressions, voice emotion and attitude

and emotional information; The skin current sensor is a

real-time measurement of the learners skin conductivity

coefficient, to measure the tension of the learner through

the changes of conductivity; Pulse pressure sensors mon-

itor learners pulse pressure changes caused by the heart

changes; The sweat sensors monitor learners breathing

and sweat through its telescopic change; Muscle Current

sensor is used to measure the weak voltage values of the

learners’ muscle movement, in order to obtain the pos-

ture emotional information of the learners in interactive

learning,[4] providing intelligent learning environment

for learners.

1.2. Intelligent Learning Environment

We believe that the intelligent learning environment is a

learning place or activity space which can perceive

learning scenarios, identify learner characteristics, pro-

vide appropriate learning resources and facilitate the in-

teractive tools, and automatically record the learning

process and evaluation of learning outcomes, in order to

promote learners for effective learning.[5]Intelligent

learning environment should have the following charac-

teristics: 1) The intelligent learning environment is the

seamless integration of the virtual environment and

physical environment. 2) Intelligent learning environ-

ment emphasizes the records of learners' learning process,

personality assessment, the effect evaluation and content

push. 3) Intelligent learning environment supports both

formal learning and informal learning.

2. Intelligent Learning Environment

Application System of the Sensor

Technology

Through the context-aware device such as the embedded

computer and multi-modal sensors, the sensors can aware

learners’ voice, movement, operating practices and per-

J. H. CHEN ET AL.

sonal preferences, and according to learners' personality,

hobbies, and historical information, the learner can

choose topics and partners in the intelligent learning en-

vironment, providing intelligent recommendation learn-

ing materials for learners. The intelligent learning envi-

ronment application system consists of the following

components:

1) The sensor module: the sensor module aware learner

context information and environmental context informa-

tion, Such as RFID (radio frequency identification) sen-

sors. By analyzing the learner or the surrounding envi-

ronment, such as location, learner behavior, environmental

temperature and humidity, etc, the intelligent learning

environment could be better understand the behavior of

the learners as well as the change of the real-world envi-

ronmental parameters, so as to provide learners resources

and services to meet the situation.[6]

2) The Micro-processing module: Microprocessor with

memory function can be built into any object and equipment.

The memory of each microprocessor is related to the

attached entity information. When learners contact with

these objects or devices, sensors detect their status and

transmit relevant information to learners’ mobile devices.

3) The information processing module: Used to im-

plement signals analog-digital conversion, signal display,

storage and analysis and processing. Including signal

sensing subsystem, and signal acquisition, storage and

processing subsystem. The signal sensing subsystem is

used to convert change signal to analog signals change

over time, for filtered and amplified and sent to the sign al

acquisition, storage, handling and processing subsystem.

4) The intelligent terminal module: In telligent terminal

module with wireless communication technologies and

Internet technology inf ormation perceive the surro unding

environment and interact with devices embedded in the

environment so that students could timely access to

computing services and collaborative learning.[7]

3. Application of the Sensor Technology to

Intelligent Learning Environment

3.1. Sensor Technology Used In Learner

Management of Wisdom Learning

Environment

Sensor technology is used in learner management of in-

telligent learning environment. It is important to use

sensors integrating smart card, each learner with a smart

card, used in the intelligent of the learning environment

in and out management, dormitory management, learning

attendance, meeting attendance, etc.[8]

1) In and out management. The distance induction of

antenna of sensor technology can realize contactless au-

tomatic check registration; the system can read and

manage smart card information automatically.

2) Accommodation manag ement. As learners, carrying

the sensor technology card, passed the accommodation

entrances, it can contact less sense the turnover of learn-

ers, statistic the number of accommodation and give

SMS tip, solve the problem of overindulging. At the

same time, it can send information to the manager to re-

alize network visual management.

3) Attendance management. the sensor technology an-

tenna can be installed in teaching building, it can realize

distance induction, it also used in learners’ class atten-

dance, as learners, carrying distance RFID Card, passed

the entrance of teaching building, they are sensed by

recognition system, it can recognize and record learners’

class attendance precisely, to make visualization man-

agement by the way of network.

4) Positioning management. It can realize the orienta-

tion of learners, the guidance of campus lab, the cicerone

of campus, and their method is the same, no longer de-

scribed.

3.2. Sensor Technology Used in Conference

Organizing of Intelligent Learning

Environment

Intelligent conference roo m to install th e digital facilities,

such as the chair with sensors and the white board with

the function of memory, participants can start projector

through the use of PDA (personal digital assistant) in

every corner of the room. The entrance of intelligent

conference room can identify device through sensor

technology, when attendants with sen sor technology card

(electronic card) into the venue, the system will be auto-

matic identification through the reader of sensor tech-

nology, and it can display identity in the display screen,

seat guide ,it also can set the guests welcome message,

welcome speech through the network system.

3.3. Sensor Technology Used in Establishment of

Intelligent Library

In intelligent learning environment, the reader with mo-

bile client (laptop PDA, etc.) into the universal envi-

ronment, through the distributed service sensor, it will be

automatic context awareness, identifying the environ-

ment of user or service request of user, and then the ser-

vice sensor sent a service request to proxy server with

corresponding function, and proxy server will service

request for forwarding to intelligent library, and asking

intelligent library provide corresponding service results

according to service request, and service results will be

back to the sensor through the proxy server, and finally

service results will be feedback to the mobile client of

user by sensor.

3.4. Sensor Technology Used in Information

Monitoring of Intelligent Learning

Environment

The classroom by decorated sensor node can monitor the

J. H. CHEN ET AL. 71

temperature and light of every corner of the classroom,

and according to the predetermined threshold to adjust

the brightness of classroom’s floodlight and air-condition

temperature automatically, according to the outdoors

light intensity to adju st curtain height, etc., they can pro-

vide a comfortable study environment to learners, and

promote learners to learn it well. In addition, the lig ht, air

conditioning, computer equipment of classroom and la-

boratory can control the power switch according to per-

sonnel entrances automatically. The supply load of the

learners’ dormitory can realize real-time remote moni-

toring through campus network, it quickly found that the

great change of electricity load, prevent fire, electric

shock, etc. [9]

3.5. Sensor Technology Used in Information

Collection of Intelligent Learning

Environment

The method of collecting information of intelligent

learning environment includes automation and artificial:

automation is to collect data way from the objective en-

vironment through the sensor equipment, such as the

physical environment information, audio and video mon-

itoring information and various sensor information re-

lated to the learners at the even t site. [10] The method of

collecting information of automation information in-

cludes data crawling, the sensor technology and the de-

sign of human-computer interaction. Data crawling is

often used in acquisition and analysis of related data in

massive dataset. The feasibility of method of data acqui-

sition depends on a direct or indirect relation between

data collected and learning activities, and the data scale.

For example, in order to analysis learning process of

learners in online learning situation, collecting learners

keywords retrieval records from study system, and anal-

ysis of keywords trend of learners through the text min-

ing algorithm.

3.6. Sensor Technology Used in Equipment

Sharing of Intelligent Learning Environment

The wireless sensor network and sensor technology

equipment can be used for real-time monitoring, bearing

the RFID label to the various types of equipment or sen-

sor installation, distribution of personal management to

carry out unified management and scheduling. When the

equipment idle, wireless sensor first time can inform

management center, remind administrator, see the posi-

tion of the equipment from the screen, and let the re-

quester use; When the equipment is in use state, the sen-

sor technology read equipment information, and match

carriers identity information (prior to equipment owner

distribution identity information sensor technology,

combined with the smart card), matching information

show that equipment is in use state, and equipment own-

er receive message through the SMS platform, providing

visual management for manager.

4. Conclusions

Along with the development of the sensor technology

and the promoting of “intelligent city”, intelligent learn-

ing environment construction will become the main de-

velopment direction of future information, intelligent

learning environment construction, as a new things,

many schools will feel lost in planning and watching,

because there is no successful case can reference, there is

no authoritative saying to the understanding of “intelli-

gent”. This paper has exploration and research to the

sensor technology in the intelligent of learning environ-

ment management, organization, the learners library con-

struction, information collection, information monitoring

and equipment sharing application of, for intelligent

learning environment construction planning for reference,

according to the “intelligent the earth” and “intelligent

city” idea of constructio n.

5. Acknowledgements

The paper, the Department of Yibin University pedagogy

first discipline funded

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