Advanced mobile technology is booming in the business world, and m-Learning is booming right along with it.
In 2010, Google’s CEO Eric Schmidt described the mobile ecosystem as a “confluence of computing power, connectivity and cloud computing” and proclaimed a new focus for the industry – putting mobile first.
With this new focus comes a new emphasis on mobile learning. A recent e-Learning Guild survey reports 70.2% of respondents are using their personal mobile devices for business applications. That translates into using their devices to learn, not to mention browsing the Web, connecting to social networks, making purchases and playing games. The same survey found that “companies are progressing on the mobile front, and while the initiatives are as yet small…the percentage of companies that plan to do m-Learning has increased from 38.5% in 2007 to 51% in 2011.”
When does using m-Learning make sense?
In a blended learning model
Effective m-Learning is more than simply repackaging existing e-Learning. Rather it should enhance learning and support additional training materials like e-Learning modules and instructor-led training. M-Learning can activate knowledge before classroom training through exploratory exercises, or summarize the main concepts afterwards. M-Learning can be an excellent tool for just-in-time training, too. For example, it can deliver readily available information in the form of performance support, like on-job-training materials, job aids, forms and checklists. It can also provide real-life scenarios using simulations and scenario-based games.
When it is continuous, ongoing, flexible and accessible
Learners want access to information on their own terms. For some that means they want access when it’s convenient, while for others it means access at the moment they need it. M-Learning should be available 24/7. It lets companies push out updates, offer reference materials via wikis, blogs, and forums, and provides collaboration through social networking, coaching or mentoring, and conferencing.
Here are a few examples of m-Learning in practice.
Customer Training & Sales Support
JPL partnered with Voith Turbo Inc. to create a mobile bus simulation that lets municipal bus drivers improve their driving skills, saving municipalities money and conserving energy. The development model we used delivers training on several platforms, including mobile and desktop. The beauty of this model is that it lets drivers learn real life skills where and when they have time to study.
JPL also worked with Medtronic to create a training and marketing tool that gives physicians up-to-date information on programming implantable devices and monitoring patients. The interactive simulation also gives hands-on experience with the latest technology to Medtronic sales people and clinicians. Like the Voith simulation, the Medtronic application is part of larger blended learning curriculum that includes a standard desktop e-Learning component.
Patient Education
Another JPL client, Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology, needed a systematic way for Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) sufferers to track their symptoms as they work through the process of an elimination diet. Essentially, the application becomes a hands-on health education tool that lets patients actively manage their illness.
JPL developed an iPhone application to help diagnose EoE using a diary/calendar function that tracks user’s meals and snacks – thus helping them find the cause/solution to their problem. EOE Tracker lets patients share their diet and symptoms with their physician at the end of the six week period for analysis and diagnosis.
In all three examples the mobile application was one part of a blended approach. In addition, these applications allowed data to be constantly accessed as well as updated from a mobile device. With a growing audience using mobile devices to access content, and with predictions that that smart phones will outsell all other computing devices in 2012, there is a clear demand for effective design for mobile learning. My next blog will explore these needs and discuss how to achieve this goal.
JPL
Learning Solutions
Why Mobile Learning?
Advanced mobile technology is booming in the business world, and m-Learning is booming right along with it.
In 2010, Google’s CEO Eric Schmidt described the mobile ecosystem as a “confluence of computing power,
connectivity and cloud computing” and proclaimed a new focus for the industry – putting mobile first.
With this new focus comes a new emphasis on mobile learning. A recent e-Learning Guild survey reports 70.2% of respondents are using their personal mobile devices for business applications. That translates into using their devices to learn, not to mention browsing the Web, connecting to social networks, making purchases and playing games. The same survey found that “companies are progressing on the mobile front, and while the initiatives are as yet small…the percentage of companies that plan to do m-Learning has increased from 38.5% in 2007 to 51% in 2011.”
When does using m-Learning make sense?
In a blended learning model
Effective m-Learning is more than simply repackaging existing e-Learning. Rather it should enhance learning and support additional training materials like e-Learning modules and instructor-led training. M-Learning can activate knowledge before classroom training through exploratory exercises, or summarize the main concepts afterwards. M-Learning can be an excellent tool for just-in-time training, too. For example, it can deliver readily available information in the form of performance support, like on-job-training materials, job aids, forms and checklists. It can also provide real-life scenarios using simulations and scenario-based games.
When it is continuous, ongoing, flexible and accessible
Learners want access to information on their own terms. For some that means they want access when it’s convenient, while for others it means access at the moment they need it. M-Learning should be available 24/7. It lets companies push out updates, offer reference materials via wikis, blogs, and forums, and provides collaboration through social networking, coaching or mentoring, and conferencing.
Here are a few examples of m-Learning in practice.
Customer Training & Sales Support
JPL also worked with Medtronic to create a training and marketing tool that gives physicians up-to-date information on programming
implantable devices and monitoring patients. The interactive simulation also gives hands-on experience with the latest technology to Medtronic sales people and clinicians. Like the Voith simulation, the Medtronic application is part of larger blended learning curriculum that includes a standard desktop e-Learning component.
Patient Education
Another JPL client, Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology, needed a systematic way for Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) sufferers to track their symptoms as they work through the process of an elimination diet.
Essentially, the application becomes a hands-on health education tool that lets patients actively manage their illness.
JPL developed an iPhone application to help diagnose EoE using a diary/calendar function that tracks user’s meals and snacks – thus helping them find the cause/solution to their problem. EOE Tracker lets patients share their diet and symptoms with their physician at the end of the six week period for analysis and diagnosis.
In all three examples the mobile application was one part of a blended approach. In addition, these applications allowed data to be constantly accessed as well as updated from a mobile device. With a growing audience using mobile devices to access content, and with predictions that that smart phones will outsell all other computing devices in 2012, there is a clear demand for effective design for mobile learning. My next blog will explore these needs and discuss how to achieve this goal.
Share This Article