mLearning: Definition, Peculiarities, Perspectives

Technological progress has changed not only the way we relax and work, but also the way we study. 

Era of eLearning

eLearning refers to the technology-based educational process.

Digital means (Flash drives, CDs, etc)

Mobile gadgets (smartphones, tablets, eReaders)

The Internet technologies

The education processes in developed countries have recently become electronic in some way.

https://www.exploreb2b.com/articles/mlearning-definition-peculiarities-perspectives

How to Define mLearning?

mLearning

in terms of devices and technologies 

mLearning is seen as a way to provide or to obtain education content

using PDAs, smartphones, tablets and other mobile gadgets.

in terms of the mobility of learners and the mobility of learning

mLearning focuses on the mobility of a learner, interacting with portable

technologies.

in terms of the learners’ experience of learning with mobile devices 

Mobile learning is also defined as "learning across multiple contexts,

through social and content interactions, using personal electronic devices”.

What makes mLearning different from eLearning?

mLearning is more personal and fun.

mLearning is spontaneous.

mLearning is shorter in duration. 

mLearning is just-in-time learning. 

mLearning engages users to contribute and share.

What features should quality mLearning solutions have?

When it comes to the development of mobile educational solution, it is very important to remember that such solution has 2 different sides:

1) the educational aspect (the course itself which is worked out by professional teachers and educators);

2) the technical part of the application/solution which is developed by programmers.

What requirements should mLearning solution meet?

Features Description

User role and profile.

Any mLearning solution should be developed for the definite target audience. Both, educators and developers should picture the portrait of the users, their age, interests, etc.

Learning on the move

The educational course should take into account that  people will study mainly on the go. Lessons shouldn't be very long. The information should be portioned and presented in pieces.

Interface design Interface design should be modern, fresh and it should take into account the peculiarities of perception/habits of the target audience. The mLearning solution's layout should be clear and simple so that users could get an instant access to the materials.

Media types The mobile solution should support various media types, starting with ordinary images and ending with the most innovative technologies such as 3D videos and video conferencing.

Collaboration support

Today it is almost a must-have for all consumer-oriented mobile applications - to provide users with a possibility to communicate and collaborate.

What new technologies can be applied in mLearning?

Mobile technologies are developing very fast and in fact almost all recent developments in mobile sphere can be applied in mLearning.

For example, the most advanced mLearning solutions can boast of the support of such technological functions as:

Location aware

learning

Point-and-shoot learning with

camera phones and 2D codes

Sensors and accelerometers in mobile devices in behavioral based

learning

Games and simulation for

learning on mobile devices

What are mLearning perspectives?

mLearning will evaluate simultaneously with the mobile gadgets development adopting new formats. 

“Learners at colleges and in the work place are becoming smarter about the way they learn, so organizations need to continually develop e-learning content to keep ahead of market

trends… Like it or not, people of all ages are bringing their own devices into the work and learning environment and this will only continue to become more common moving

forward.” Jane Scott Paul of AAT

“With the easy availability of new social media tools, individuals are already managing their informal learning. This trend is only likely to catch up more in the future as the users increasingly search for and access learning resources freely available on the web, such as, podcasts, videos, and blogs, whenever needed.” Rajesh Thambala of ValueLabs

http://www.business2community.com/online-marketing/5-expert-predictions-future-elearning-0617051

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