BRIDGE


Mobile learning




03.04.14



By BRIDGE





Mobile Learning The term m-learning (“mobile learning”), indicates learning with mobile devices. The thin line between eLearning and mLearning: e-Learning can be define as a way of disseminating knowledge through any electronic device. In broader sense it includes all kind of digital devices used in learning process to impart knowledge. This makes e-learning a subset of technology-based training. Differentiating e-learning from mobile learning E-learning can be real-time or self-paced, also known as “synchronous” or “asynchronous” learning. Additionally, e-learning is considered to be “tethered” (connected to something) and presented in a formal and structured manner. In contrast, mobile learning is often self-paced, un-tethered and informal in its presentation. Because mobile devices have the power to make learning even more widely available and accessible, mobile devices are considered by many to be a natural extension of e-learning. ​



It has varied meanings based on its use in e-learning, educational technology and distance education that focuses on learning with mobile devices like handheld computers, MP3 players, notebooks, mobile phones and tablets. It’s a blessing of new technology that has augmented our learning scenario with several benefits:



1. COnvenience & Flexibility





mobile learning can be accessed anywhere, at any time and at the exact moment learning is required. The always-available nature of mobile learning empowers learners to take the initiative and direct their own learning activities.



2.Good use of ‘dead time





The easy and flexible nature of mobile learning enables user to access knowledge even in dead time also. For instance while travelling or waiting for a meeting to start, we can use mobile learning. It has shortened the barriers of knowledge access and made the system more adaptive.



3.Fits many different learning styles:





Mobile learning offers different interactive learning activities like reading text and graphics, Video, animation, working through decision trees, listening to podcasts, contributing to discussions (forums or SMS), researching on the internet, choosing the correct answer (text or photograph), rating skills on a diagnostic etc. The voice recorder on many mobile devices enables effortless and instantaneous recording of thoughts and opinions.



4.Improves social learning (i.e. communicating with peers and experts):





With a huge expansion and improvement in the telecommunication sector number of people using mobile phone is increasing day by day. Learning through mobile is not only supporting a flexible learning system but also increasing the reach of learning making the system more adaptive and cost effective. SMS texting reminders, knowledge sharing forums, ‘ask a question’ forms and the use of telephony are all means to enable interaction between peers and tutors using mobile devices.



5.Easy evidence collection





the portability of mobile devices makes them readily available for collecting portfolio evidence via audio, still or video camera.



6. Supported decision making:





mobile devices offer timely access to information, which enables the quick double-checking of a decision, and so better professional judgments.



7. Speedier remediation:





mobile learning enables forgotten or mistakenly remembered information to be speedily accessed and redressed.



Upcoming technologies in m-learning




Technologies currently being researched for mobile learning include: Location aware learning Point-and-shoot learning with camera phones and 2D codes Near Field Communications (NFC) secure transactions Sensors and accelerometers in mobile devices in behavioral based learning Mobile content creation (including user generated content) Games and simulation for learning on mobile devices Context-aware ubiquitous learning Augmented reality on mobile devices Mobile performance support Conclusion: A change in technology brings path breaking transformation in society. we adopt to make our life easier and better than before. mLearning is the advent of new technology that helps sharpened our learning system exploring the new potentials and enables us to gauge a new mile of more individualistic learning. Further enhancement of this technology will surely explore many untamed potentials unleashing a new era where access of knowledge will hold no bounds.