Week 14 - Mobile Learning

For this week, one of the articles that I read was: Traxlar, John (2007, June). Defining, discussing and evaluating mobile learning: The moving finger writes and having writ…. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning. 8(1).

From that, I highlighted the top uses, challenges, key points and the way ahead for mobile learning.

Uses:
-technology-driven mobile learning, used to demonstrate technical capabilities
-miniature but portable e-Learning that can be used to re-enact approaches and solutions already used in conventional e-Learning
-connected classroom learning to encourage collaborative learning (ex: interactive whiteboards)
-mobile training and performance support providing just-in-time information for workers, thus increasing productivity
-remote and rural learning where infrastructure challenges exist

Interesting Points:
-mobile learning is often considered informal vs. formal learning-increased access to information and knowledge challenges the role of formal education
-learning that used to be "just-in-case" can now easily be "just-in-time"
-the use of laptops and tablet PCS is not usually considered mobile learning because laptops are not carried as often and automatically as mobile phones and PDAs.

Issues/Challenges:
-mobile learning still has not been properly defined
-no evaluation strategies have been developed that are appropriate for mobile learning initiatives
-there is a lack of standardized terminology within the field of mobile learning-the technology of mobile learning is not easily adapted, updated, or customized; unlike computers
-priorities and infrastructure of existing educational institutions are often not conducive to the growth of mobile learning

Next steps/the way ahead:
-Explore definitions of mobile learning that look at the underlying learner experience vs. just the technology itself.
-Explore and develop evaluation strategies that are appropriate for mobile education.
-Conduct a thorough analysis of moble learning initiatives to date. Determine what has been sucessful and what hasn't. Encourage the growth of promising programs, discard others.