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.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 3GP – Wi-Fi gives access to instructors and resources via internet Wi-Fi – GPRS mobile GPRS Content delivery: – Hot Lava Software – Flash Lite – Web-based languages

Example A Demo: ning.html ning.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)