Mobile Learning(Mlearning)

By: Nancy Musice

EDUC 7101

NeedThere is a need in education to meet the needs of diverse learners. Learning takes place through listening, reading, observing, reacting, trying, predicting, and reflecting. Mlearning allows students and teachers to access educational materials at anytime, anywhere, anyplace.

ResearchResearch has been conducted by the following who are finding the benefits of Mlearning in education:

Ally, M. (2009). Mobile learning: Transforming the delivery of education and training. Athabasca, AB: Athabasca University Press.

Geary, M. (2008). Supporting cell phone use in the classroom. Retrieved September 19, 2010 from http://www.homepages.dsu.edu/mgeary/

Keegan, D. (2005). The Incorporation of mobile learning into mainstream education and training. In mLearn2005 Retrieved September 19, 2010 from http://www.mlearn.org.za/CD/papers/keegan1.pdf

Wentzel, P., Lammeren, R., Molendijk, M. , Bruin, S., Wagtendonk, A. (2005). Using mobile technology to enhance students' educational experiences, Case Study from the EDUCAUSE Center for Applied Research. Retrieved September 19, 2010 from http://www.educause.edu/ECAR/UsingMobileTechnologytoEnhance/155114

DevelopmentThe development of Mlearning began with universities in Asia and Europe in the 1990’s. Palm company offered grants to companies and universities to test the devices. Over the last decade many applications and uses have been created specifically for mobile devices including assessments, collaboration, activities, and games.

CommercializationIn the 2000’s the The European Commission funds the major multi-national MOBIlearn (Wikipedia, n.d.). In addition, many applications have been created by Apple over the last several years with the creation of the i-Phone, i-Touch, and i-Pad. Many conferences are held annually to address the use of mobile learning in education.