Mobile Learning How to Overcome Implementation Barriers

Mobile Learning: How to Overcome Implementation Barriers

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Understanding Mobile Learning Basics

Obstacles for Mobile Learning Adoption

Solutions to Obstacles

4

13

23

27Conclusion

Preface

In today’s knowledge-based economy, learning moments are the new currency. Learning is no longer a one-time event; rather, it has progressed to being a continual process.

Organizations operate amidst severe competition, tight deadlines, stringent regulations, and workforce with demanding jobs, deficient attention spans, and spread across diverse geographies. Mobile devices can be leveraged in this context to offer learning that addresses a wide spectrum of needs.

However, as organizations realize the potential of mobile learning, they also face numerous obstacles to its implementation. Right from looking at m-learning through the eyes of e-learning to securityissues, organizations have to address severalaspects for m-learning to see the light of the day.

If your organization is looking to implement mobile learning, this eBook will help you in your endeavor by offering insights into the obstacles you are likely to face and the solutions to overcome them.

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Unit: 1

Understanding Mobile Learning Basics

4

What is Mobile Learning?

Is it learning:

Through a cell phone?

Through any mobile device (even a tablet)?

On-the-move (sitting in an airport, flying in a plane)?

Through a mobile device, on-the-move?

5

What Experts Say…

John Traxler

Professor of Mobile Learning Director, Learning Lab University of Wolverhampton, UK

“I feel that in the definition of mobile learning the focus should be on mobility.

Mobile learning should be restricted to learning on devices which a lady can carry in her handbag or a gentleman can carry in his pocket. I therefore define mobile learning as ‘the provision of education and training on PDAs/palmtops/handhelds, smartphones and mobile phones.’”

Source: Learning in a Mobile Age

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Image courtesy: http://home.wlv.ac.uk/~cm1990/

What Experts Say…

Clark Quinn, Ph.D.

Quinn defines mobile learning as “The intersection of mobile computing and e-learning, that includes anytime, anywhe re resources; strong search capabilities;rich interaction; powerful support for effective learning; and performance-basedassessment.”

Source: : Review of Clark Quinn’s (2011) Mobile Learning: Landscape and Trends

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Image courtesy: https://www.quinnovation.com/About.html

What is Mobile Learning?

The Learner is definitely moving about and not ‘tethered’ physically to a location or a device.

There are two aspects to the definition of mobile learning:

1. Learner Mobility

The Device is portable, lightweight, electronic, wireless and small enough to fit one’s pocket, purse, or hand.

2. Device Size

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Relationship Between M-learning�and E-learningM-learning combines e-learningwith the flexibility of mobile access.

Situated

Informal

Context-aware

Personal

Lightweight

Portable

Spontaneous

Usable

Massive

Intelligent

Personalized

Accessible

Multimedia

Structured

Connected

Interactive

Institutional

Hyperlinked

M-learning E-learning

Mobile learning is spontaneous, contextua l, personal, and portable as opposed to e-learning which is more structured and connected.

Read this post for more insights.

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Where Can We Use Mobile Learning ?The worldwide market for Mobile Learning products and services reached $5.3 billion in 2012. It is expected to experience a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.2% and double revenues to $12.2 billion by 2017.

Source: The 2012-2017 Worldwide Mobile Learning Market – Ambient Insight Premium Report

What is the reason behind its growing adoption? The answer lies in the flexibility of mobile learning to reach employees on-the-move and offer them handy access to learning nuggets.

When Learning for the First Time

When Wanting to Learn More

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When Trying to Apply and/or Remember

When Something Goes Wrong

When Something Changes

345

}

}

FormalInstruction

(Acquisition)

PerformanceSupport

(Application)

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Mobile Learning can be used in each of the 5 moments of need, defined by Dr. Conrad Gottfredson and Bob Mosher, performance support experts.

Mobile Learning Delivery FormatsMobile learning can be used to provide formal knowledge acquisition through:

M-learning courses

Podcasts

Electronic sales tools, calculators

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Mobile Learning Delivery FormatsMobile learning can be used to offer performance support through:

Videos

Webinars

Animations

Checklists

Podcasts

eBooks, PDFs

Blogs

Mobile apps

Notifications

Mobile learning also supports collaboration through:

Messaging

User-generated content

Discussion forums and peer assessments

Apps to share tips and updates

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Unit: 2

Obstacles for Mobile Learning Adoption

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Do You Have These Questions?Let’s look at a few questions stakeholders and training managers often have regarding m-learning.

I don’t think many people really understand what it really means, that’s why I think we need to help propagate to business leaders to make them understand what it is and why it’s the right thing to do it and how to do it.

I think it is more around the technology itself – deploying, securing, measuring the usage of that technology.

The first issue is the location where mobiles are accessed. The second issue is the small screen size of mobile devices. In this context, how can mobiles afford to offer comprehensive training?

How do we design courses for mobiles? Is making our e-learning courses responsive, the answer?

– Director, Global Training

– Chief Technology Officer

– L&D Manager

– Director, Learning and Training

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What Do YOU Think are the Obstacles & Challenges in the Adoption of Mobile Learning?

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Obstacles & Challenges in its AdoptionMobile learning is not just about offering learning across mobile devices, it is offering contextual learning, at the poin t of need.

Designing learning content for mobile devices, measuring the effectiveness of mobile learning, ensuring the confidentiality of mobile content – all these are challenges organizations have to address when implementing it.

Broadly, m-learning challenges can be classified into 3 categories:

Pedagogical Challenges

Design Challenges

Technology Challenges

1.2.3.

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1. Pedagogical Challenges

Stakeholders, SMEs, and Users’ Acceptance

Nature of the Subject/Content

Learning Environment

The main pedagogical issues include:

Users’ Acceptance

Younger employees and digital natives are likely to take to mobile learning naturally. However, not all may be so forthcoming. Those who view training to be a formal activity might view mLearning with sk epticism.

Employees also perceive m-learning courses as a downgraded version of training compared to classroom training and are not very receptive.

Stakeholders doubt the efficacy of m-learning to facilitate learning. “Can you really learn anything worthwhile in a mobile phone?” is an often-heard query.

Subject matter experts feel learning gets diluted and loses its effectiveness if delivered via mobiles.

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Nature of the SubjectThere is a perception that if a subject is new and/or difficult to master, mobile learning is not the way to teach it.

Given the limitation of size and by virtue of it being accessible anywhere, understanding something difficult or new is deemed impractical using a hand-held device.

How can learning happen amidst interrupti ons and disturbances is the primary concern.

Learning EnvironmentThe learning environment of mobile learning itself becomes a major concern. As learners are away from their desks and often traveling when accessing m-learning, they are prone to distractions, low bandwidth, and other issues. These raise questions on how much they can learn and retain.

The very feature of learning anywhere, anytime, is an obstacle. “How can anyone do serious learning sitting in an airpor t or at a customer’s reception?”, is the perception.

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2. Design Challenges

This image reminds us of how movies in Hollywood began by shooting stage plays.

Movies today involve futuristic worlds and fantasy elements, and bear no resemblance to the stage plays of yesteryear.

What has this got to do with m-learning?

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Image courtesy: https://diffusionoflight.wordpress.com/2016/09/20/what-filmmaking-teaches/

The answer…

We are looking at m-learning through the lens of e-learning.

M-learning is not resizing e-learning courses to fit mobile screens.

M-learning is NOT E-learning on aSmartphone!

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3. Technology ChallengesM-learning faces fierce opposition from IT departments that are concerned about data security and other associated perils.

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Data SecurityEnsuring the confidentiality of corporate data, when it is accessed on personal devices is a major concern

Mobile devices are susceptible to malware, viruses, and other security threats

Wi-Fi hacking or Wi-Fi snooping puts confidential information at risk

Tracking Learning Progress

As mobile learners have the flexibility to be offline when completing modules or assessments, tracking their progress and scores becomes an issue

Device size is also a limiting factor; learners might find it difficult to concentrate and read for a long time on small screens. Other factors include:

The most common objections are related to:

Compatibility with various operating systems

Battery life

Using various networks to access m-learning resources

Read about 3 security threats in mobile learning and 7 ways to beat them here.

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Unit: 3

Solutions to the Obstacles

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1. Solutions to Pedagogical ChallengesThe key to addressing pedagogical challenges lies in using mobile learning for:

Performance support to provide just-in-time learning

Training reinforcement

Say you have a curriculum for pharma sales reps on the human anatomy & physiology and various drugs, with their associated diseases.

You can provide reps short videos on the working of each drug, FQAs or flash cards on their indications and dosage on their mobi les. These act as JIT support tools – reps can access them when traveling to meet a doctor, or when waiting for the doctor, and refresh their knowledge.

They can also access apps to demonstrate to doctors, the usage of their drug in a particular area, its effect on a specific population type, etc.

Important concepts and information nuggets can be made available as mobile learning modules or videos that reps can go through in their free time, anywhere, from any device.

Know why mobiles are performance support’s best buddy here.

Example Scenarios:

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2. Solutions to Design ChallengesContent presentation is key to the effectiveness of mobile learning.

Developers and instructional designers need to adopt a paradigm shift when designing content for mobiles. Making e-learning courses responsive to fit mobile screens is not the answer.

As the screen size is limited, we need to ensure content is chunked to fit small screens.

Ensure the module is restricted to present essential content and avoid horizontal scroll.

Graphics-heavy courses are also not suitable for mobile screens, as they can lead to horizontal scroll and problems synchronizing with audio.

So mobiles can be used to offer short learning nuggets of 2-5 minutes, each focusing on not more than a couple of learning objectives. This will ensure learning is effective, without any distractions.

Explore designing mobile learning courses in a little more detail.

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3. Solutions to Technology ChallengesCurrent generation rapid authoring tools offer responsive design capabilities and help develop mobile-compatible courses, rapidly.

Using mobile learning apps will help learners access information, even when offline.

Having a mobile-compatible LMS will ensure your employees enjoy seamless learning experiences, across all devices.

This also makes tracking easy. Even if learners complete and assessments courses offline, the status is updated to the LMS once they are connected to the Internet.

Ensure your course doesn’t have too many videos or animations as they can lead to loading issues, which can frustrate learners.

If you are offering mobile videos, ensure they are compatible with all devices (unlike Flash, which can't be accessed on Apple devices) and in commonly accepted versions such as MP4.

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Unit: 4

Conclusion

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With organizations increasingly implementing the BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policy and the growing ubiquity of mobile devices, mobile learning is fast becoming a popular training format.

Yet, the path to its acceptance is riddled with many obstacles and misconceptions.

Its success depends on achieving a paradigm shift in designing courses and leverage it for performance support and training reinforcement.

This is where its core strength lies and how it can improve employee productivity and performance by offering knowledge at the moment, just enough, in just the right amount, and in the right format.

Conclusion

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CommLab India is the most sought-after global leader for its rapid eLearning solutions. It has been ranked first among top providers of Rapid eLearning and Blended Learning Solutions for 2020 by eLearning Industry.

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