Ubiquitous computing can be considered as the new hype in the information and communication
world. It is normally associated with a large number of small electronic devices (small computers)
which have computation and communication capabilities such as smart mobile phones,
contactless smart cards, handheld terminals, sensor network nodes, Radio Frequency
IDentification (RFIDs) etc. which are being used in our daily life (Sakamura & Koshizuka,2005).
These small computers are equipped with sensors and actuators, thus allowing them to interact
with the living environment. In addition to that, the availability of communication functions enables
data exchange within environment and devices. In the advent of this new technology, learning
styles has progressed from electronic-learning (m-learning) to mobile-learning (m-learning) and
from mobile-learning to ubiquitous-learning (u-learning).
Ubiquitous learning, also known as u-learning is based on ubiquitous technology. The most
significant role of ubiquitous computing technology in u-learning is to construct a ubiquitous
learning environment, which enables anyone to learn at anyplace at anytime. Nonetheless, the
definition and characteristic of u-learning is still unclear and being debated by the research
community. Researchers have different views in defining and characterizing u-learning, thus,
leads to misconception and misunderstanding of the original idea of u-learning.
Therefore, this article aims at providing fundamental information pertaining to u-learning;
specifically for the researchers who are interested in venturing this newly established area of
ubiquitous computing. In this article, the concept of ubiquitous computing and how the technology
is applied in learning environment will be discussed. Later, we will review various attempts to
define and provide characterizations of u-learning. Finally, we will present our own definition and
characterization of u-learning and discuss some applications in u-learning.