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The constructivist theory indicates that knowledge is not something finished and complete. However, the individuals must construct it through the interaction with the physical and social environment. The Active Learning is a methodology designed to support the constructivism through the involvement of students in their learning process, allowing them to make analysis, synthesis and evaluations, therefore developing their thinking and reasoning abilities. The technology supports active learning through Classroom Response Systems (CRSs), which usually use clickers devices to allow students to submit answers to a questionnaire proposed by the teacher. However, these systems have some drawbacks, for example not considering the students' individualities, personal characteristics and needs. In this way, this study describes the creation of the LSQuiz, a CRS that implements a collaborative process that allows teachers to propose questions to students, who may choose to solve them individually or ask colleagues to help solve them. The LSQuiz applies concepts related to ubiquitous computing, such as context awareness and the analysis of the interactions among students to determine which student is the most suitable at a given moment to provide help. The system validation indicates wide acceptance by students, who consider the possibility of classroom collaboration an important element to support their learning process. The experiment indicates that adopting a CRS associated with ubiquitous computing features is a valid and effective way to promote active learning. [For the complete proceedings, see ED557311.]

1Boy Crusoe

By Allan Eric

Also published as" A Yankee Crusoe" . A 15 year old hard working and studious farm boy finds the lure of adventure on the seas as a merchant seaman more than he can resist. This is his story. " I was born in a little town in the State of Maine, near the close of the Civil War. My boyhood life did not differ materially from that of the average farmer's son in the remote country districts of New England--except, perhaps, that I read more and thought more. Hard work on the rugged soil, two terms each year in the little yellow country schoolhouse, a day's fishing now and then filled the early years of my life full to over-flowing. " What he gets is enough excitement and adventure to overflow his wildest dreams. How he experiences disaster and uses his wits and knowledge to overcome every problem makes for a great read. - Summary by Phil Chenevert