Mobile Devices Used in Mobile Learning

Mobile Devices Used in Mobile Learning

How does it work? Technology Example Current and potential instructional uses Strength Weakness/Limitaions Costs

How does it work?

Learning that happens across locations: focus on learning across contexts and learning with mobile devices.

Most reply on WiFi internet/network connection to download or access a web-based content.

Technology

Devices:– Mobile phones– Smart phones, PDA– Personal communication devices such as pagers

Technical and delivery support:– 3GP For compression and delivery method of audiovisual content – Wi-Fi gives access to instructors and resources via internet – GPRS mobile

Content delivery:– Hot Lava Software – Flash Lite– Web-based languages

Example

A Demo: http://www.effectperformance.com/html/mlearning.html

Current and Potential Instructional Uses

Performance support– Job aids– Just in time learning– Location-based and situation-dependent

knowledge

Communication as Learning in Context– Social networking, person-to-person dialog that

takes place in context

Strength

Performance support:– Puts training and performance support where the

actual work takes place– Allow new skills or knowledge to be immediately

applied– Enables training when it is needed

As communication that creates knowledge– Provide access to experts– Builds a community of practice

Weakness/limitations

A fragmented learning experience Lack of well-developed metacognitive skills Limited screen size, resolution, battery life,

memory, etc. Dependent on network stability Could be high cost Security of the device and its data

Costs

Can be costly– Equip every employ with the mobile device

Can be cost-effective– "Lowest common denominator" mobile learning to

cellular phones using two way SMS messaging and voice-based CellCasting (podcasting to phones with interactive assessments)