THE ADAPTATION OF CONTENTS FOR THE CREATION OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEARNING EXAMS FOR MOBILE DEVICES The Adaptation of Contents for the Creation of Foreign Language Learning Exams for Mobile Devices doi:10.3991/ijim.v3s1.1008 J.L. Gimenez, T. Magal Royo. Fco. Garde Calvo and S. Prefasi Gomar Polytechnic University of Valencia, Valencia. Spain. Abstract—This article describes the process of adaptation of online digital contents for the realization of foreign language learning tests through mobile devices. Taking into account the need detected in relation to the quick development of mobile technologies, the development and adaptation of existing online exams for mobile devices will be studied. We will do that by considering the possible navigation limits when using multiplatforms, and the as- pects related to the formal and technical conditions which the audiovisual contents shown by the device must fulfil. The existing online language learning tests can be adapted to mobile devices through the programming XHTML lan- guage. But, the limitations of navigability in relation to con- tents and the handling of interaction devices available for users to do the tests must also be considered. Index Terms—m-learning, mobile applications, language learning, user-oriented interfaces, Online English Assess- ment Tests . I. INTRODUCTION The studies carried out about students´ perception when using m-learning indicate that learning through mobile devices is widely accepted by the university student com- munity (Seibu Mary Jacob and Biju Isaac, 2008) [1]. Stu- dents seem to be very interested in acceding to contents through portable computers, Palms, mobile phones and PDAs as they permit a quick access to contents and in- formation anytime and anywhere. Nevertheless, when they accede to information through PDA or mobile phones, the reduced size of the screens makes the process difficult (Avgeriou. P, 2003). It affects the students´ capacity when they have to introduce a large text in a mobile device, when they take notes or when they have to answer to some questions when practicing. If we consider this fact, we can say that multiple choice questions are the most appropriate to be implemented by a mobile device, as the process of interaction with the keyboard, which is the most commonly used system, could be quick and easy for the student. This evaluating system through tests also constitutes an active methodology which permits the student to have an autonomous, active and responsible role in the learning process (Álvarez y Schatcher, 2006) [3] Nowadays, online exams addressed to the foreign lan- guage learning and testing process are generally focused on listening, the structural aspects, writing, and reading. An example is the English as a foreign language test TOEFL iBT, an online exam in which reading, listening, speaking and writing in English are tested in a telematic way. (TOEFL) [4]. The article tries to show the viability of the implemen- tation of the existing online tests for foreign language learning through mobile devices, taking into account both their technical and functional limitations. II. TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS According to the report edited by the Fondo Investi- menti per la Ricerca di Base, FIRB in 2004 about techni- cal limitations of accessibility and use of mobile phones, there are some aspects which must be considered in rela- tion to the adaptation of contents. They refer to contents which could directly affect not only to the implementation of language online tests but also the handling of related contents. In that report, there are some guidelines that we want to consider in this article through a table. It shows the technologic limitation and the way in which it can affect the interaction/interface with the user and the access to contents by using a mobile phone. Web technology for the creation of digital contents for mobile devices considers the standard XHTML, devel- oped by the World-Wide Web Consortium [5], Interna- tional consortium which produces some standards for the World Wide Web. It is a language of marks for the crea- tion of all kinds of contents. It does not matter whether it is addressed to Internet or to desk computers or to the field of mobile devices. (Developers' Home, 2008)[6]. The Mobile Web Initiative (MWI)[7] of W3C has pub- lished several recommendations for the generation of con- tents in mobile devices. It is shown in the document Mo- bile Web Best Practices 1.0 [8], created thanks to the con- tribution of the developers of contents for mobile devices and leader industrial organizations. This document specifies the best practices for the deliv- ery of web contents through mobile devices trying to im- prove the user´s experience when connecting with the web from mobile devices. When we adapt contents to mobile devices in which the student-platform-evaluator play a very important role, it is convenient to develop an intuitive and easy handling and learning interface. ( See table 1) iJIM – Volume 3, Special Issue 1: "IMCL2009", July 2009 15