Mobile Solutions for Synchronized and Offline Versions of Video-based Open Educational Resources
Reinald Adrian PugoyA large number of open educational resources of different and distinct types are available in numerous domains. Many of these OERs are text-based and image-based. Nowadays, there is an increasing number of audiovisual OERs due to recent technological advances. Though video-based OERs are now more openly accessible and available, and constitute learning material of great pedagogical value, their potential is not always fully exploited (Hobbs, 2006). One possible reason for this, which is quite unique to the Philippine setting, is that its Internet connection is considered to be one of the slowest in the world. This may lead to difficulty in viewing video materials, thus discouraging learners. Another factor is that many educational institutions are located in far-flung areas where the Internet is very limited or not available.
In this regard, mobile approaches and solutions for Android devices are explored, developed and provided. These solutions allow the viewing of video-based OERs even when users are offline. They only connect to the Internet whenever they wish to download the latest videos and synchronize them with the app. Also, the usability and usefulness of these solutions will be evaluated by potential users using a survey based on the System Usability Scale (SUS).