April 2012 Volume 15 Number 2 - Educational Technology & Society

System implementation
Overview of MTVRS
MTVRS applies both mobile devices and a website to support learners in improving traffic violation reflection for
ML. The proposed system designed two interaction interfaces, including a PC and a mobile device with GPS,
through associated technologies, as shown in Figure 1. Learners were able to upload photos, process searches, and
view records of traffic violations via mobile device or PC. Further, MTVRS collects data about which objects were
shared and added by individuals, as well as the events of traffic issues and comments from the ML activities. All
learning resources such as posted photographs, questions, discussions, comments and assessments were well liked by
the system and support mobile devices and PCs synchronously for reflective learning.
Figure 1. The system architecture of the MTVRS
As to supporting the services for mobile device, Churchill and Churchill (2008) stated mobile technology provides
five affordances. The following five perceived affordances of mobile technology were explicated in this study:
� Capture tool: The learners can observe traffic violation situations and use a mobile device with cameras to
photograph and transmit pictures through a wireless network, as shown in Figure 2(c).
� Representational tool: The learners can post and create relevant traffic violations issues to reflect and discuss
with one another, as shown in Figure 2(d).
� Multimedia-access tool: The learners can view the resources of traffic violation events using the photograph
mode or electronic maps, as shown in Figure 2(e, f).
� Connectivity tool: The learners can share information and their own opinion or thinking about the traffic
violation events through email as well as on the website, as shown in Figure 2(g).
� Analytical tool: The learners can give feedback and comment on each traffic violation situation through peer
assessment, as shown in Figure 2(h).
In short, MTVRS allows learners to login to the system for taking a traffic violation picture and uploading it, as
shown in Figure 2(a, b). Additionally, MTVRS applies GPS technology to provide the location related information of
every occurrence regarding reporting events for learning activities via a GPS receiver. The system then presents an
electronic map to the learners, allowing them to browse and assess traffic violations in the map area. Accordingly,
learners can use these learning resources to reflect their prior experiences and discuss with their peers. In contrast to
supporting the services for a website, the main functions are similar to the services for mobile device. For example,
MTVRS was also designed to provide learners with several online tools such as a discussion forum, posing/sharing
reflection content, peer assessment, and search services (see Figure 3).
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