New Developments In Technology Mobile Learning

Mobile Learning

Mobile learning (m-learning) is the delivery of electronic learning materials with built-in

learning strategies on portable computing devices to allow access from anywhere and at any

time.M-learning is emerging to build on the advances of e-learning, or the use of Internet

and learning management systems…. The differences between m-learning and e-learning are

as follows: e-learning is described as learning supported by digital electronic tools and media,

while m-learning is e-learning using mobile devices and wireless transmission.

Within the past five years, the University of Hagen in Germany has evolved its virtual university

e-learning model to the pocket university, where m-learning is being investigated for teaching

and learning.

Characteristics of m-learning

Non-work-hour training

Easy access anytime, anywhere

More access to corporate information

More access to job-specific information

Organizations can leverage mobile and Internet-enabled technology to address their training challenges. M-learning is designed to fit with the unique work-style requirements of the mobile workforce, linked to their office by cell phones, laptops and handheld devices. This workforce spans a wide range of occupations: from sales to customer service, engineering, maintenance, consulting and insurance—to name just a few. As so many of these jobs are customer-facing, their importance is often paramount to an organization. Mobile workers need and deserve the latest information and the sharpest skills.

Key enablers of M-learning

Learning is a personal issue in which motivation and access matters. Mobile devices are also truly personal—your mobile is your mobile. Motivation can be sustained through accessibility to content via a mobile device at all times. This gives you the opportunity to learn when you want with a device that, unlike a PC, is literally with you all of the time.

Mobile devices are unique in being a personal, portable and powerful computing and communications device.

Mobile devices have been hugely successful as a lifestyle, consumer electronics product.

There are three ways learning can be considered mobile—in terms of space, in different areas of life, and with respect to time. Mobile learning is learning ‘on the move.’ Mobile learning originally referred to the use of laptop computers, which freed learners from their desktops. However increasing penetration of mobile phones, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), and Smartphones has redefined and accelerated the growth of mobile learning—or m-learning.

Typical training challenges that m-learning addresses:

Widely dispersed staff / student base

Constantly mobile workforce

Rapid deployment of training, e.g., regulatory compliance

Pull staff from their jobs to the classroom

University of Hagen’s typical students are employed, study part-time, prefer to attend

virtual events asynchronously, and need access to information and materials while

travelling. For these students, efficient learning is key to educational success, and the

flexibility to learn at a time and place which they choose is critical.

While the use of this technology offers advantages, key disadvantages of using mobile devices

include the small display screen, reduced storage capacity, and reliance on a battery-powered

device. Nevertheless, a number of researchers believe that the use of mobile devices can

increase equality of educational opportunity worldwide by removing barriers to anywhere, any

time learning.