Mobile Learning: Learning-On-The-Go!

Learning-on-the-go!



It is near impossible to go anywhere today without seeing a person with a mobile device. People are using their mobile devices for everything from paying bills, recording favorite t.v. shows from anywhere, to learning on the go. Technology is transforming training to offer ample learning opportunities - mobile learning is just one of the many that students can avail in this e-Learning era. E-Learning “encompasses all computer and internet based activities that support teaching and learning both on campus and at a distance” (Naidoo, 2012, pg 1). “The evolution of handheld portable devices and wireless technology has resulted in radical changes in the social and economic lifestyles of modern people” (El-Hussein & Cronje, 2010, pg. 12). Mobile devices puts access to several learning applications specific to education directly in the hands of learners, allowing learning on the go a reality.  In a 2013 survey, "mobile learners showed that 99% believed mobile format enhanced their learning, 100% said they would complete more training in a mobile format, and an overall improvement in motivation, engagement and quality of work was found" (Ivec, 2014, pg. 1). Bottom line is students want to learn with devices they are comfortable with.

What is Mobile or M-Learning?

“Learning by means of wireless technological devices that can be pocketed and utilized wherever the learners device is able to receive unbroken transmission signals” (Hussein & Cronje, 2010, pg. 12).

Advantages of M-Learning:

• Increase learner empowerment
• Accelerated learning
• Not bound by physical environment "untethered learning" (Morrison, 2014, pg. 5).
• Improved management of education systems e.g. Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCS), Open Educational Resources (OER) (Naidoo, 2015, pg.1)
• Add value to formal education 
• Easily accessible and user friendly
• Cost effective
• Innovative
• Improve productivity
• Transformative- reshapes education
• Competitive 
• Expand global reach
• Support access video tutorials, tutoring, study resources
• (Wentworth, 2014).

Disadvantages to M-Learning:

• Slow to embrace (especially for those who are not tech savvy)
• Not everyone has a mobile device or internet access
• Most people learn best in instructor led teaching/ lecture style
• Works best as resource not comprehensive teaching tool
• Instructors are hesitant to let students use their mobile devices in class, think they are disruptive 
• (Wentworth, 2014). 

Who uses M-Learning?

M-Learning appeals to those non-traditional students looking for flexible, accessible, user friendly learning that fits into their busy schedules. In 2010, the top four countries that have adopted m-learning were “U.S, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan and accounted for 70% of the m-Learning market. In 2015, these countries only account for 40% with China, India, Indonesia and Brazil having highest growth rates in m-Learning. While access to internet maybe low in developing countries due to high cost etc., the use of mobile devices is still high” (Naidoo, 2015, pg. 2). Brandman University recently launched a competency based degree on a mobile platform whereby students could access over 30,000 pages of course material from a tablet or smart phone (Morrison, 2014).

 Many other degree programs are available fully online with mobile friendly resources. While instructor led- lecture learning is still the most popular type of training style, mobile learning is growing at phenomenal rate. Mobile learning is best suited to use as an additional resource to complement training (Morrison, 2014). 

References

        El-Hussein, M.O.M, & Cronje, J.C. (2010). Defining Mobile Learning in the Higher Education Landscape. Educational Technology & Society, 13(3), pp. 12-21.

Ivec, Stephanie. (February 13, 2014). Top Trends in Mobile Learning for 2014: eLearning Industry. Retrieved June 02, 2015 from http://elearningindustry.com/the-top-trends-in-mobile-learning-for-2014.

Morrison, Debbie. (December 30, 2014). Three Trends That Will Influence Learning and Teaching in 2015. Online Learning Insights. Retrieved June 03, 2015 from http://www.onlinelearninginsights.wordpress.com/2014/12/29/three-trends-that-will-influence-learning-and-teaching-in-2015/

Naidoo, Vis. (April 20, 2015). Trends in Technology Enabled Education. The Education Partners. Retrieved June 02, 2015 from http://www.theeducationpartners.com/articles/2015/04/trends-in-technology-enabled-education/ 

            Wentworth, David. (August 28, 2014). 5 Trends for the future of learning and development. Training magazine. Retrieved June 02, 2015 from http://www.trainingmag.com/5-trends-future-learning-and-development