Using Scrutable Learning Models to Support Personal learning Objectives on Mobile Devices

Personal Learning Environments (PLEs) refer to systems that allow individual learners to manage and control their own learning in their own space and at their own pace. In previous work we have proposed a 4D model of informal learning to analyse the informal aspects of a learning experience. The model includes dimensions for learning objectives, the learning environment, learning activities and learning tools, and reveals how much of the experience is really under the control of the learner. In an analysis of mobile tools we showed that many emerging m-learning systems focused on informality in the environment dimension but not in the others. In this paper we propose a scrutable learning model approach that allows personal learners to take control of their learning objectives while still allowing the system to intelligently support them with appropriate learning activities and resources.