Mobile Learning /M-Learning: are teachers!

Mobile learning means that students are able to log into

What the Advantages and Disadvantages of Mobile Learning Are classrooms at their convenience to go through course materials or take a
Mobile learning is a broad term used to refer to any teaching and test. Similarly, teachers are able to communicate on the go with students
learning that happens with the use of mobile devices and platforms. Let's to clear their doubts, administer tests, or even communicate with a
explore the advantages and disadvantages of mobile learning. student’s parents about their child’s progress.

Discussing the Advantages and Disadvantages of Mobile Learning This all-round, anytime and anywhere accessibility means that learning
You are probably wondering why mobile learning still matters. So let's is not confined to a physical location or a specific time. Instead, students
start by answering the following questions: can learn on the go at a pace that works for them. This results in students
engaging voluntarily on their own terms – which means that they feel
What is Mobile Learning? empowered by the learning process instead of it just being another day
Mobile learning is a broad term used to refer to any teaching and in school.
learning that happens with the use of mobile devices and platforms.
Mobile learning devices would include electronic gadgets like mobile Digital-First Thinking
phones, tablets, laptops, etc. Platforms are constantly being developed The current workforce comprises a large swathe of Millennial. These are
for mobile learning devices – from video players to platforms that allow employees who have grown up around technology and are used to using
all-round accessibility, messaging services that keep teachers and it in their everyday life. They are comfortable with engaging with digital
students connected, and so on. devices, mediums, and platforms to make their work easier and better.
Why should this not start at school? Mobile learning is tailored to the
How did mobile learning grow in education? What does mobile way millennial work and think. It makes learning more accessible for
learning look like in action? them and prepares them to enter the workforce ready for the real world.
Mobile learning has been around in one form or another since the early
2000s. This was an inevitable development thanks to the increasing Mobile learning is at the heart of embracing a forward-thinking, digital-
ubiquity of technology in our lives. The introduction of the personal first approach to life. It ensures that students who engage in mobile
computer sparked a revolution that had students and teachers increasing learning are ready for the real world and are able to cope with it better
use of electronic devices for their learning and teaching experiences. than Luddites who are scared of technology.

As time passed, mobile devices that were more portable became popular. Dynamic Teaching Methodologies
This resulted in students studying presentations on their tablet, watching Mobile learning is extremely friendly to newer and modern teaching
an instructional video, taking a multiple choice quiz on their mobile methodologies. It is extremely friendly towards visual learning, since it
phones, or even joining massive online open courses with thousands of so easily supports audio, video, and images. This means that content
other students all over the world to keep learning. built for mobile learning is inherently dynamic. These fast-paced,
visually engaging graphics have been found to be more engaging for
What are the advantages of mobile learning? students in a classroom – it keeps their attention and conveys course
Anytime and anywhere learning material in an effective fashion.
One of the immediate advantages of mobile learning is that students are
not confined to a classroom or a set schedule to be able to learn. Neither
Mobile learning also allows for more modern teaching methodologies While, on one hand, we actively try to reduce time spent in front of a
like the use of dynamic content and experiential learning to be computer, mobile, tablet, or TV screen for students – especially those
implemented more easily in the classroom. This means that classrooms that are younger – mobile learning necessitates that students spend time
are experiencing cutting-edge teaching instead of relying on old and in front of a screen to learn. Screen time can be habit-forming and, in
outmoded teaching methods that might not be as effective – all thanks to some cases, addictive. Mobile learning must thus be regulated keeping
mobile learning. in mind the other hours a student spends in front of a screen.

Personalization of Learning Multitasking Hurts Recall of Course Material

One of the best things about mobile learning is its flexibility. Teachers Multitasking – another side effect of mobile learning – has also found to
and students are able to learn on the go and at their own pace. Different be not conducive to recall and retention of material. In fact, studies show
types of teaching methods and dynamic material can be used to great that in some ways, note taking using a pen and paper really does result in
effect. All this flexibility means that mobile learning is perfect for a better recall. Mobile learning content should, thus, be built in a way
personalizing learning. Personalized learning means that students are that helps address distracted learning.
able to use their personal mobile learning devices to access course
materials, test, content, etc. that have been tailored to their taste and Mobile Learning Benefits
abilities. What are the Mobile Learning Benefits? Accessibility, flexibility, higher
retention and collaborative learning are some of the Mobile Learning Benefits.
Why do we need personalized learning, to begin with? As we study Find out more in our eLearning articles, written by the authors worldwide.
education more, we understand that it is not helpful to stereotype
students or categorize them into groups that are too broad. Students are 3 Ways to Integrate Personalised Learning into Your Learning Strategy
diverse in nature, with diverse abilities and needs – mobile learning, Today, everything is personalized. Netflix suggests films based on our previous
choices, we get recommended music on Spotify, and our ads are tailored to
thanks to its inherent flexibility, is better able to address this diversity in
our favourite brands. So, in a culture where everything is personalized to each
thinking. person, why should our learning be any different?

What are the disadvantages of mobile learning? How to Integrate Personalised Learning into Your Learning
Increasing Reliance on Technological Tools Strategy
While a forward-thinking, digital-embracing approach to education with
mobile learning is found to be undeniably useful, it also results in Back in digital learning’s primitive days, learning operated on a ‘one-
students losing touch with older skills that do not rely on technology. size-fits-all’ approach. All colleagues would see the same learning
materials, complete the same activities and ultimately ask the same
This is especially the case for trade skills like handymen skills, question: 'why is this relevant to me?’
woodworking, working in arts and crafts etc. This is a serious loss in
terms of some types of skills dying out and, thus, becoming more and Going beyond simply branding your LMS, personalized learning is
more expensive in the marketplace. critical in creating that important User Experience, which helps to drive
engagement by highlighting how learning is beneficial to them in their
Distracted Learning role.
Unfortunately, one disadvantage of mobile learning is that it merely
increases the amount of screen time a student indulges in one day.
An increasingly popular development in digital learning, personalized we turn to Google, and within seconds, we’ve got the answers we need,
learning puts learners in control of their learning paths, whether it be ultimately creating an on-demand culture of learning.
identifying skills gaps and choosing learning modules accordingly or
deciding when and where to learn with multi-device compatibility. In this new era where knowledge is available in an instant moment of
need, we start to see the same happening with our learning. Rather than
Here are 3 ways that you can create a more personalized learning learning being restricted to one location, we’ve progressed into a period
experience with learning technology: of just-in-time learning, where learning is accessible anytime, anywhere,
to satisfy an instant need for information.
1. Recommended Learning
Choosing an LMS with a mobile compatible app, provides access to
Like all of us, sometimes learners need a little prompting. Take Netflix; learning activities on-the-go, catering for the individual needs and
you want to watch a film, but you don’t know which one. So, looking at lifestyles of all learners. Despite most of us working 9-5 (no Dolly
all the previous thrillers you’ve seen, it suggested you watch ‘Girl on the Parton pun intended), how many workers are at their desks every day of
Train’, and you loved it. the week? Between visiting clients, events and external meetings, most
of us are away from our desktops for significant periods of time.
Recommended learning works in a similar way. Often, learners know
they need to develop their skills but are unsure of what areas to dedicate With mobile learning, learners can complete learning activities
their time to so they end up spending time concentrating on well- whenever, wherever. For instance, a sales manager may want to brush up
developed skills, rather than establishing any new skills to push them in on their presentation skills on their way to deliver a sales pitch or an HR
their careers. professional may wish to refresh their interview techniques on their
commute into the office.
Using digital learning technology, individuals can be recommended
learning based on their job role or department. Showing learners courses Giving learners the flexibility to do essential learning at their
that are relevant to them in their job role encourages interest by creating convenience will drive motivation, as it becomes less of a burden and
a personalized approach where people can see how the training will be instead becomes a task that can be easily managed alongside their busy
applicable to them. schedules.

In addition, administrators can form quizzes around competencies and Whether you’ve got a team of night owls or early birds, with a mobile
suggest courses to improve on any skill gaps based on the learner’s app, learners can do their assigned learning at a time and a place
answers. For instance, if it was identified that an individual was that suits them.
struggling with communication skills, the LMS would recommend
modules to help develop this area. 3. Relevant Homepages

So, instead of learners completing generic modules that are only useful Nowadays, when we log onto different streaming services or social
to certain individuals, learners can use their time productively to develop media sites, we’re greeted with our own homepages that feature content
the skills that they need. tailored to our own preferences.

2. Just-In-Time Learning In the same way, someone’s Spotify account may show only rock songs,
whereas another account might be mainly musical theatre tracks,
Thanks to the internet, we now have access to a whole world of learning homepages should vary between role, department or authority
information at just the click of a button. Whenever we have questions, level.
By selecting an LMS with content management features, administrators
can set different homepages for specific groups within the organization,
so learners only see relevant training materials.

Plus, each learner’s homepage can display information regarding their

individual development, showing learning progress, current badges and
upcoming bookings. This focuses entirely on each user and their specific
learning pathway, giving them an accurate picture of their current
development and what they need to do enhance their skills.

To Sum Up

Whilst years ago, we may have been content with generic learning
aimed at entire organizations, now, personalized learning is perceived
not only as a benefit to organizations and individuals, but it’s also an
expectation.

If our social media, music services, and streaming sites are all
personalized according to our preferences, then naturally your learners
will expect the same from their learning platforms.

With the ability to recommend courses, learn on-the-go and customize

portals using learning technology, learning no longer needs to be a
universal experience.

So, rather than trying to avoid ‘taking things personally’, I think it’s
about time we did.

Source:https://elearningindustry.com/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-mobile-learning