The implementation of mLearning among organizations is clearly growing at a rapid rate. To be exact, eLearning Guild research data shows 70.2% of survey respondents are now using their personal mobile devices for business use. And, of those who have conducted an mLearning implementation, 50% are seeing positive returns. Last week, the Mobile Learning Conference and Expo, mLearnCon, in San Jose, California, allowed us to immerse ourselves in mobile technology, and see the future of the eLearning category. With cell phones, iPads or other tablets in the hands of almost every attendee, there was a connectedness and constant exchange of information at all times. This was mobile learning at its best.

This year, we noticed a few key mLearning concepts from the learning activities and classes about the future of mobile learning, social learning, mobile devices and mobile games.

The Future of Mobile Learning

Mobile learning takes eLearning content from the desktop environment and transfers it to readily available devices that are carried by learners  at all times. mLearning implies the idea of a fold-up screen that anyone can carry in their pockets and acts as a direct portal for learning and communication.

Global Learning: Know your audience

One mobile learning concern is global learning. Can we globally transfer content on multiple platforms in other countries? Can we use one platform that works across multiple countries? The answer is to know your audience. Learn more about the culture and what people use and implement the according platform for your end users. For example, because learners in Japan may use different mobile devices than those in Western Europe, the content should be designed and delivered appropriately and accordingly.

No more traditional courseware

Engage learners with mobile learning that requires less than 20 minutes of the learner’s time. Successful mobile learning involves crowdsourcing, where learners can interact with each other and share stories and experiences. For this to work, blogs, podcasts and other resources on mobile devices need to be short and concise. Save the traditional courseware as included references that serve as additional resources to your mobile content.

Social Learning

Social collaboration is the key to mobile learning. Social learning and collaboration are important to successful learning because the interaction engages and motivates learners. The exchange of information in learner collaboration creates a place for innovation, which is the key to continuous improvement and learning.

Provide places for social collaboration or direct your learners to these cooperative resources. Many organizations are using Wikis for collaboration and development. Wikis allow the collaborative creation and editing of content in one digital space on the web. Access to places like Wikis, discussion boards, forums or workplace social collaboration tools facilitate communication and innovation by providing a place to teach, exchange ideas and streamline the development process.

How phones and other mobile devices enhance learning

Phones enable us not only to communicate, but to capture where we are and what we hear. By combining these three “functions” of our cell phones, we can solve problems, innovate and enhance eLearning content. The optimal learning process:

  • Extend concepts and apply them to the context.

  • Apply with reflection – the most efficient tool in learning. Reflection provokes thought and deepens understanding.

  • Engage. Engaging learners stimulates thought and promotes better understanding and retention of information.

Geoff Curless, Trivantis Director of US Sales, demonstrates Lectora eLearning on the iPad at mLearnCon 2011

Mobile Games

Mobile games greatly impact how learners engage. Simple games like Angry Birds – where the only skill needed is the swipe of a finger to launch birds into baskets – prove to be very engaging and addictive. Apply this concept of simplicity to create learning content that is easy, intuitive, and addictive. Key points to create engaging mobile games:

  • Short instructions. If instructions are too long and detailed, the learner will likely find another game that seems easier.
  • Let the user learn as he or she goes by providing and increased level of complexity (but not too complex).
  • Motivate learners to interact with each other to deepen understanding and increase competition.
  • Provide incentives for the learners to be competitive. For example: give points, make a leader board, etc.
  • Provide surprises along the way like interesting links or prizes – get creative!
  • Personalize the content you deliver to further engage your end users.

In order to be a great mobile game designer, you have to be a mobile game player first!

Stay ahead of the game with innovative and engaging mobile learning. Provide your learners the best opportunity for deeper learning and understanding with exciting eLearning courses and easy access to your content. Keep in mind the context of your end users, ways they can collaborate and ways to engage them.

For more mobile learning information, check out more of our eLearning blogs: create Lectora content for any mobile device, mobile learning trends from ASTD 2011, taking mLearning to the next level and mobile learning predictions.

 

 

Tatiana Porro is a Marketing Assistant at Trivantis. She recently graduated from Xavier University with a degree in Marketing and International Business. She loves to travel, read and explore different cultures.