Adaptive context-aware learning environments: Live spaces as a basis for life-long learning in computer science Gerald Quirchmayr and Jill Slay School of Computer and Information Science, University of South Australia, Australia Abstract: It is recognised that a strength of the computer science (CS) academic community has been its willingness to come to terms with the pressure on its curriculum and teaching methodology brought about by the "evolutionary" nature of the discipline (Tucker, 1996). This pressure is felt by academia in the increasing demand for just-in-time and life-long learning. Research has indicated that adaptive and interactive on-line CS learning environments playa useful role in the provision of life-long learning but these needs are not being fully met by current tools or COTS systems. This paper looks at the support of CS learning by the provision of new highly-integrated and context-aware tools. Keywords: computer science education, life-long learning, adaptive context-aware learning environments 1. LIFE-LONG LEARNING AND COMPUTER SCIENCE There is a continuing international demand for life-long learning in Computer Science (CS) and particularly, in the Australian context, increasing opportunities to develop both traditional and web-mediated joint ventures in graduate and professional education with overseas universities and multinational companies. Some issues of concern in CS education (Tucker, 1996) in general include: Attrition due to poor motivation and learning difficulties. Dealing with students from a wide range of backgrounds with different learning styles. D. Passey et al. (eds.), TelE-Learning © Springer Science+Business Media New York 2002