IJCSI International Journal of Computer Science Issues, Vol.

11, Issue 3, No 1, May 2014

ISSN (Print): 1694-0814 | ISSN (Online): 1694-0784
www.IJCSI.org 168

IMPLEMENTATION OF ANDROID BASED MOBILE

LEARNING APPLICATION AS A FLEXIBLE LEARNING
MEDIA
Kurniawan Teguh Martono 1, Oky Dwi Nurhayati 2
1
Computer Engineering Department, Diponegoro University
Semarang, Central Java 50275, Indonesia

2
Computer Engineering Department, Diponegoro University
Semarang, Central Java 50275, Indonesia

and anytime and capable of involving many users either

Abstract individually or in a group. In addition, this technology
Computer technology has been experiencing a quite rapid offers all its simplicities. For these features, internet has
development in which it, in turn, has also caused a change in been becoming a very suitable media for the development
human life style. One of technologies bringing an impact on such of the next education. The implementation of Information
life style is in the use of computer technology embedded in mobile and Communication Technology (ICT) in educational
communication devices. Nowadays, a new trend in e-learning is
world, in turn, will improve the quality of the education
known as Mobile Learning, the use of portable media such as
itself.
smartphone.
This research uses the Development and Research method a The implementation of ICT in educational institution today
research to build and develop m-learning that can be used as a has been a must since it can be one of indicators for
flexible learning media. Meanwhile, for the design of software, achievement of an educational institution. Many teachers or
this research uses waterfall method. lecturers use the advance of technology, in this case
The result obtained from this research is that 95% of user from internet, as online learning also known as e-learning.
university students enjoy in using the application of mobile E-learning (electronic learning) is one of the aspects of the
learning and it is only 5% does not enjoy. At last, it can be ICT implementation in educational institution. It is defined
concluded that the use of the mobile learning application can make as a media of delivering the content of learning or
the learning process more flexible. experience in learning electronically with the use of
Keywords: m-learning, flexible-learning, Android. computer of computer based media[1]. According to
international convention[2], learning content can be
distributed through web or CD/DVD. In addition to
1. Introduction learning content e-learning can monitor the performance of
Computer technology has rapidly been improving. This, as the college students.
a result, has made a change in human life style. One of A new trend in e-learning nowadays is known as Mobile
technologies that have brought an impact on this life style is Learning the use of portable media such as Smartphone
the use of computer technology embedded in mobile either using the Android system, IOS or Windows Phone.
communication device. The use of this technology, in fact, The use of Mobile Learning to support the teaching-
can help human in obtaining the update information in learning process is considered important to add the
many aspects, one of which is in educational aspect. flexibility in the activity of teaching and learning. Thus, the
On the other side, the rapid development of science and learning process can be done anywhere and anytime
technology in the form of information and communication
technology (ICT) has brought an impact on any fields
2. Literature Study
including in educational and learning field in which the
information of learning can be rapidly delivered to all The term of information technology has been becoming
learners through internet. The features of internet popular in the end of 1970s. Previously, this term was
technology include being always be accessible anywhere commonly called computer technology or electronic data

Copyright (c) 2014 International Journal of Computer Science Issues. All Rights Reserved.
IJCSI International Journal of Computer Science Issues, Vol. 11, Issue 3, No 1, May 2014
ISSN (Print): 1694-0814 | ISSN (Online): 1694-0784
www.IJCSI.org 169

processing. Information Technology is defined as Learning refers to the use of internet technology to send a
technology of processing and transmitting data using series of solutions that can improve knowledge and skill[4].
hardware and software, computer, communication and From this definition, it can be concluded that e-learning is a
digital electronic. The development of communication deliverance of learning content electronically distributed
technology in Indonesia is always dynamic from time to through web (Internet and/or Internet) or through
time. As a developing country, Indonesia always adopts CD/DVD (offline) and it is equipped with evaluation
any information technology until it comes to an era where components inside[5]. Based on technology that is used, e-
the use of internet will have started to be a daily learning can be divided into bases of technology including:
consumption known as internet based technology. 1. CBT (Computer based training)
The development of information technology highly 2. LMS (Learning Management System)
influences communication technology. E-mail is a core key 3. Application of Web-based Learning
for the change of communication way. Only using one E-
mail address, the user can follow any models of 2.2 M-Learning
communication provided on internet such as: Forum, Mail
list /Group, Social Network sites, Blog or Sharing File Mobile Learning is a learning model that is done inter place
Sites. or environment using portable technology regardless of
The improvement of life quality has more required human space and time. With its potencies and excellences, Mobile
to do any activities needed by optimizing the available Learning is expected to be one of alternative learning
sources. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sources that can enhance efficiency and effectiveness of
that has a rapid development indirectly has obliged human learning process for human.
to use it in any activities. Mobile learning as an intersection of Mobile Computing
The use of mobile learning cannot be apart from the and E-Learning providing resources that can be accessed in
development of mobile technology. For this reason, anywhere has capability in an excellent searching system,
technology of mobile learning also needs supports from rich interaction and full support towards an effective
infrastructure from data communication system in mobile learning and performance-based assessment. In addition, it
devices. Figure 2.1 shows the infrastructure of data has a characteristic of not being dependent on time and
communication system in mobile devices [3]. space. Education requires an alternative learning model
typically not dependent on time and space. It is also
expected that the alternative model can facilitate
knowledge sharing and knowledge visualization in order to
make knowledge more interesting and easy to understand[6].
The use of information and communication technology in
education has been always being developed in any various
strategies and expected patterns. e-Learning system as a
learning form that uses a set of electronic devices and
digital media or mobile learning (m-Learning) refers to a
learning form particularly using mobile devices and
communication technology. The use of this m-learning
technology is aimed to assist the university students or
society to be able to access the lecture materials or
information anytime, anywhere and in any conditions.
Figure 2.1 Architecture of Mobile Communication System Figure 2.2 shows the architecture of mobile learning.

internet
2.1. E-learning

E-learning stands for electronic learning a new way in the

teaching and learning process using electronic media
particularly internet as its learning system. Through E-
Learning, it is possible for the learners to learn using
computer in their own places, rather than physically
attending the class for learning. Aplikasi m-Learning
Operator Server m-Learning
Since the term of e-learning contains a very broad meaning,
many experts define e-learning from any perspectives. e- Figure 2.2 Architecture of m-Learning

Copyright (c) 2014 International Journal of Computer Science Issues. All Rights Reserved.
IJCSI International Journal of Computer Science Issues, Vol. 11, Issue 3, No 1, May 2014
ISSN (Print): 1694-0814 | ISSN (Online): 1694-0784
www.IJCSI.org 170

The application of mobile learning can be developed using a library is required to translate Java language,
a variety of mobile technologies and platforms[7]. Each which, in this case, is handled by Core Libraries.
implementation of mobile learning has a different 2. Dalvik Virtual Machine: Register based Virtual
characteristic. The application of mobile learning consists machine optimized to run the functions efficiently
of: in which this is a development that is able to make
1. Mobile Devices Linux kernel to do threading and low-level
2. Software management.
3. Content of application The development of application in android operating
In a learning activity (classroom instruction), mobile system can be done by using two types - native language or
learning plays 3 roles: web base. The use of native language is the earliest way in
1. Optional supplement which the development of this android operating system
2. Complement based application uses Java Programming Language as a
3. Substitute base programming. The development of android application
3.2. Mobile Programming uses a number of basic components as follows:
Android operating system is one of new types of operating 1. Activities ( Activity base class),
system in mobile communication device. This operating 2. Service (Service base class),
system has a Linux base. Android provides an open 3. Content Provider (ContentProvider base class),
platform for developers to create their own applications to 4. Broadcast Receiver functioned to receive and run
be used by any varied mobile devices. The update features the message to application (BroadcastReceiver
and specifications of OS Android include application base class) and
framework, Dalvik Virtual Machine, integrated browser, 5. Message (Intent class).
optimized graphic, SQLLite, media support, GSM The following figure is a cut of program to design the
telephone, Bluetooth, EDGE, 3G, WIFI, camera ,GPS, layout on the Android application.
compass, and accelerometer.
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
Operating system of Android principally is based on 2.6.x <LinearLayout
version Linux kernel that is a monolithic kernel. This kernel xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
consists of driver used to hardware on mobile devices such android:orientation="vertical"
as screen, keyboard, and camera, USB, WiFi and Bluetooth. android:layout_width="fill_parent"
android:layout_height="fill_parent"
The kernel also provides interface on hardware and android:background="@color/myColor">
memory management. The Library available in this kernel <EditText android:id="@+id/EditText01"
also supports the 2D and 3D graphic display, multimedia, android:layout_height="wrap_content"
android:layout_width="fill_parent"
security and WebKit used in browsing. Figure 2.3 shows
android:inputType="numberSigned|numberDecimal">
the architecture of Android operating system. </EditText>
</LinearLayout>

Figure 2.4 Design layout on Android application

2.4. JQuery Mobile

JQuery Mobile is a platform of jQuery development.

Figure 2.3 The Android Architecture Specifically, JQuery mobile is to develop the application or
web on mobile platform. Some platforms that have been
Android Run Time Layer is a layer that makes the supported by JQuery Mobile include Android, Blackberry,
application of android able to be run in which in its process, iOS, and Windows Phone [8].
it can be done using the Linux implementation. Dalvik The JQuery Mobile commonly is used as the one to
Virtual Machine (DVM) is a machine that forms the basic support the design of the User Interface application of web
frame of Android application. Android runtime is divided mobile. This application can be built as a native application
into two parts: (installable application) with the help of PhoneGap
1. Core Libraries: The application of Android built in framework.
Java language. Meanwhile, Dalvik is functioned as
its virtual machine not Virtual Machine Java. Thus,

Copyright (c) 2014 International Journal of Computer Science Issues. All Rights Reserved.
IJCSI International Journal of Computer Science Issues, Vol. 11, Issue 3, No 1, May 2014
ISSN (Print): 1694-0814 | ISSN (Online): 1694-0784
www.IJCSI.org 171

5. How much data on average and how much data

<meta charset="utf-8" /> that can be handled by the system?
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, 6. What effect that can make the combination of the
initial-scale=1" />Arsitektur Komputer<link data handled specifically on operating system?
href="css/themes/default/jquery.mobile-1.3.2.min.css"
rel="stylesheet" /><script type="text/javascript"
src="js/jquery.js"></script><script type="text/javascript" 3. Research Method
src="js/jquery.mobile-1.3.2.min.js"></script></pre>
The research method in this research used Development
<div id="home" data-role="page">
and Research Method, a research to build and develop m-
<div data-role="header" data-position="fixed">
learning that can be used as a flexible learning media. The
<h1>Fungsi Kmputer</h1>
steps of the research that can be done are as follows:
</div>
<!-- /header -->
<div data-role="content"></div>
Start
<!-- /content --></div>
<pre>
Literature Study:
1. Mobile Learning
2. Android Operating System
Figure 2.4 User Interface application of web mobile 3. Web Base Technology

2.5. Blackbox Testing Software Planning:

1. Problem Identification
The test of Black Box treats software as “Black Box” 2. Collecting data
without any knowledge about the internal work and it only
3. Need Analysis hardware and
examines the fundamental aspects of the system. While
software
during the test of black box, the tester must find out the
architecture system and will not have any accesses to the
code of the sources [9]. Black-Box Testing tends to find out
the following points: System Design
1. Error or unavailable function 1. Interface Design
2. Interface errors 2. Basis data Design
3. Errors on data structure and access of database 3. Making source code
4. Performance errors
5. Error in initialization and termination
Sysem Testing

No Result?

Yes

ImplemeSystem Design
Figure 2.4 Black Box testing

Black Box testing is designed to answer the following

questions: End
1. How are these functions tested to be valid?
2. What kind of input that can be a good testing case Further, the method used in software design used Waterfall
material? method, a method suggesting a systematic and sequential
3. Is the system sensitive to certain inputs? approach available in SDLC. This method emphasizes on
4. How can a group of data be isolated? an order in the process of software development.

Copyright (c) 2014 International Journal of Computer Science Issues. All Rights Reserved.
IJCSI International Journal of Computer Science Issues, Vol. 11, Issue 3, No 1, May 2014
ISSN (Print): 1694-0814 | ISSN (Online): 1694-0784
www.IJCSI.org 172

scores for
students
1. Downloading the Following the
materials for process of
College
lecture lecturing and doing
Students
2. Doing evaluation the learning
evaluation

The design of interface is aimed to provide the description

about the application that will be built. Thus, it can be easy
to implement the application. Additionally, it can ease the
making of user friendly application. This application can be
implemented to be an intact and accessible program. Figure
3.2 shows the design of application interface:

Header Header
Figure 3.1 Waterfall Method

The needs of hardware used to develop the application of User Name Mata Kuliah
m-learning includes as follows:
1. Computer : Password Evaluasi
a) Intel® Core™ i5-3330S Processor (2.7 GHz,
Cache 6M) Login
b) RAM DDR 3 2 GB PC-10600
c) HDD 320 GB
d) Monitor LCD 20”
Footer Footer
2. Android Device
a) Samsung Galaxy ACE 3
b) Samsung Galaxy S4
Meanwhile, the needs of software used to develop the m- Figure 3.2 Design of Application Interface
learning application include as follows:
1. IDE Notepad ++ The application test using the Black Box testing is used to
2. JQuery Mobile find out the functionality of the system whether it works
3. Phonegap properly with the design or not. Meanwhile, the
4. Beta.appinventor.mit.edu implementation testing of the system is conducted using
questionnaires that are distributed to 30 college students.
The needs of users on this application consist of system
administrator, lecturers, and college students. The Software
built will be used by three types of user. Table 3.1 shows 4. Testing And Implementation
the detail of the type.
This part is related to the testing and evaluation of software
Table 3.1 The Needs of User and implementation of software application. This software
Rights of is tested based on functionality and performance in the
User Responsibilities
Access environment of testing at Study Program of Computer
1. Adding the Managing the System in Diponegoro University.
lecturer users system
Administrator
2. Managing comprehensively 4.1 Testing of Administrator System
system display
1. Adding the Managing the
The first testing is to test the page of administrator on the
materials for process of online
lecture learning system of application. Figure 4.1 shows the display of
Lecturers 2. Making dashboard from the page of administrator.
questions for
evaluation
3. Managing the

Copyright (c) 2014 International Journal of Computer Science Issues. All Rights Reserved.
IJCSI International Journal of Computer Science Issues, Vol. 11, Issue 3, No 1, May 2014
ISSN (Print): 1694-0814 | ISSN (Online): 1694-0784
www.IJCSI.org 173

Menu Page Showing the menu that Suitable

can be accessed by the
users

Lecture Page Showing the list of Suitable

lecture, lecturer and
GBPP

Download User is able to download Suitable

Figure 4.1 Dashboard Administrator Material the lecture material

The next phase is to test the menu of the instructor

(lecturers). This is aimed to find out the functionality of the Evaluation Page Showing a number of Suitable
menu that has been developed. Figure 4.2 shows the result questions in accordance
with the evaluated
of the testing. subjects

Score Page Showing a number of Suitable

scores obtained from the
evaluation results

The result of the application test covering the login page,

menu page, material download page and lecture page can
be seen in Figure 4.2

Figure 4.2 Menu of Instructor (Lecturer)

4.2 M-learning Testing

The phase of m-learning application testing includes:

1. User installs the application of m-learning on the
mobile communication devices.
2. User does login based on the level given
3. User runs application
The testing on the m-learning application performance uses
the Black Box testing. This testing is used to test the
functionality of each component in the m-learning system.
Table 4.1 shows the result of the testing.

Table 4.1 Functionality Testing

Test Component Expected Results Test Result

1. User and password

Login Page are correct, so it is Suitable
allowed to go the
next page Figure 4.2 Display of m-learning application
2. User and password
are incorrect so the
message for the
incorrectness will
appear

Copyright (c) 2014 International Journal of Computer Science Issues. All Rights Reserved.
IJCSI International Journal of Computer Science Issues, Vol. 11, Issue 3, No 1, May 2014
ISSN (Print): 1694-0814 | ISSN (Online): 1694-0784
www.IJCSI.org 174

4.3 Implementation [2] Davidson-Shivers, Web-Bassed Learning: Design,

Implementation, and Evaluation. New Jersey:
The application of mobile learning can be accessed at Pearson Prentice Hall, 2006.
http://elearning.ce.udip.ac.id using the android mobile
[3] Wilayat. K and Habib. U, “Authentication and
communication device. To test this application, 30 college
students have been involved as the users. The parameters Secure Communication in GSM, GPRS, and UMTS
of this test include: Using Asymmetric Cryptography.,” International
Journal of Computer Science, vol. 7, no. 3, 2010.
1. Acceleration in accessing the page [4] M. Rosenberg, E-learning: Strategies for delivering
2. Acceleration for the login to the system
knowledge in the digital age, New York, NY:
3. Acceleration for downloading the file of lecture
material in PDF form McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. 2001, pp. 185–188.
4. Delivering quiz/evaluation of the lecture [5] Novi Hidayati, “Sistem E-Learning Untuk
5. Layout of module and material on layout Meningkatkan Proses Belajar Mengajar: Studi
6. Clear writing size (caption, texts, and Kasus Pada Sma Negeri 10 Bandar Lampung,”
typography) Jurnal Telematika MKOM, vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 153–
7. Simplicity in the use of navigation 170, 2010.
8. The display of interface website design layout for
[6] Nurhayati., O. D., “Design of Information
the learning media
9. The displayed features are in accordance with the Technology in Enhancing the Quality of M-
need of lecture. Learning -Based Learning at Diponegoro
Of the parameters of the test given, it is found from the University,” International Journal of Computer
result that 95% of the user feels comfortable and satisfied Science, vol. 10, no. 6, pp. 190–195, 2013.
in using the application of mobile learning. 5% of the user, [7] Pocatilu, P “Developing Mobile Learning
on the other hand, feels uncomfortable in accessing the
Applications for Android using Web Services.,”
application of mobile learning. It is due to the problem in
telecommunication network used in accessing the mobile Informatica Economica., vol. 14, no. 3, pp. 106–
learning. 115, 2010.
[8] P. Dutson, Praise for Sams Teach Yourself jQuery
5. Conclusion Mobile in 24 Hours. Indianapolis, Indiana, 46240
USA: Sams Publishing, 2013.
Some conclusions below can be drawn from this research:
[9] Mohd. Ehmer Khan and Farmeena Khan, “A
1. The application that is made is in accordance with
Comparative Study of White Box , Black Box and
the need of the user
Grey Box Testing Techniques,” International
2. Based on the result of the test using the case of
Journal of Advanced Computer Science and
Black Box, it is found that the software can find
Applications., vol. 3, no. 6, pp. 12–15, 2012.
out the functions that are incorrect or missing,
interface errors, performance error, initialization,
and termination error. Functionally, the test has
given the result as expected First Author was born in Klaten, 19 March 1983. Graduated from
undergraduate program of Universitas Negeri Semarang (State
3. 95% of user of college students state that they are University of Semarang) in 2006 and graduated from postgraduate
satisfied in accessing the application and it is only program of Electrical Engineering of Institute Teknologi Bandung
5% of them feel uncomfortable (ITB) in 2008. He is a lecturer at Computer System at Engineering
Faculty of Diponegoro University, Semarang. The interest of
4. By using the application of mobile learning, the research is in the field of software engineering and multimedia.
learning process can be more flexible since it can
be done anytime, anywhere and in any conditions. Second Author was born in Semarang, 2 October 1979. She
graduated from the undergraduate program of Electrical
Engineering at Sekolah Tinggi Teknologi Telkom (Telkom Institute of
References Technology) Bandung in 2002. Then, she graduated from Master
[1] Smaldino., S. E. et. a., Instructional Technology and Program of Electrical Engineering at Gadjah Mada Univeristy in
2008 and Doctoral Program at the same university with
Media for Learning. New Jersey: Pearson Prentice specialization in Image Processing, Software Engineering. Recently,
Hall, 2005. the writer is a lecturer at Computer System of Engineering Faculty
at Diponegoro University, Semarang.

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