mobile learning device

Mobile Technologies (m-learning)

Using digital mobile devices such as mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), IPods and MP3 players to deliver education and training programs

Samples

HP Nursing Project - RMIT

Research into using hand-held computers by clinical teachers for student nurse record keeping and evaluation

Source HP Nursing Project - RMIT
URL http://www.cs.rmit.edu.au/MobileComputing/pda.html
Use This project investigated the use of wireless handheld computers, in three acute care clinical units to determine the impact on patient safety and quality of care.
Delivery 50 PDAs (HP iPAQ Pocket PC h5500)
Customisation Not available, privately funded research trial
Availability Research only, pilot trial

Cell phones as classroom learning tools

Presentation about ways to connect students’ mobile phones with classroom learning

Source Cell Phones as Classroom Learning Tools
URL http://k12onlineconference.org/?p=152
Use

Topics include:

  • using mobile phones as data collection tools: audio recorders, digital cameras, and digital camcorders
  • how classroom projects can be developed for mobile phones: creating ring tones, text messaging, mobile WebPages, and mobile surveys.
Delivery Presentation is available:
iPod ready
http://k12online.wm.edu/K12_Kolb_Cell.mp4
Original
http://k12online.wm.edu/K12_Kolb_Cell.mov
Audio only
http://k12online.wm.edu/K12_Kolb_Cell.mp3
Customisation Research report only describing use of mobile phones
Availability Report available via web, iPod, video and audio

Audio: Ultra Mobile PCs

Mark Davies, lecturer in civil construction at Central West TAFE (Wesytern Australia) discusses how he uses Ultra Mobile PCs (UMPCs) in his training. 

Source Audio: Ultra Mobile PCs
URL http://aquaculturepda.podomatic.com/entry/2006-11-12T06_32_17-08_00
Use

UMPCs are light and small portable computers (i.e. 7 inch screen, approx. the size of most portable DVD players) that run Windows XP (i.e. they run standard Windows programs such as standard Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access where as a PDA can only run pocket computer applications).

Delivery Podcast presentation, discussing use of UMPCs
Customisation Not available
Availability Online research only

Audio: Ultra Mobile PCs

Course development samples that test the automation of content development...

Source Cell Phones as Classroom Learning Tools
URL http://k12onlineconference.org/?p=152
Use

Course development samples that test the automation of content development from Microsoft Office environments into full compliance with accessibility, mobile learning, and IMS/SCORM specifications
Delivery Via web browser or PDA
Customisation Copyright
Availability Samples only available for purpose of showing possibilities

Environmental Detectives

Game in which learners play the role of environmental engineers usiung PDAs

Source Environmental Detectives
URL http://education.mit.edu/ar/ed.html and game rules are at http://education.mit.edu/ED/intro/index.htm
Use

In this game learners play the role of environmental engineers who are presented with a scenario to work through using multimedia resources accessed through PDAs.
Delivery Role playing scenario undertaken
Customisation Copyright. Provides example of using multimedia.
Availability Samples only available for purpose of showing possibilities of integrating PDAs in training.

Using PDAs with workplace trainees

Bob Hunter from Pilbara TAFE discusses the use of PDAs with workplace trainees

Source Using PDAs with workplace trainees
URL http://aquaculturepda.podomatic.com/entry/2006-10-18T07_58_22-07_00
Use

Bob Hunter from Pilbara TAFE discusses the use of PDAs with workplace trainees.
Delivery Podcast presentation, discussing use of PDAs
Customisation Not available
Availability Online research only
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Why include mobile technologies?

m-learning makes the most of being on location, providing immediate access, being connected, and acknowledges learning that occurs beyond (and in conjunction with)formal learning settings, in places such as the workplace, home, and outdoors.

Central to m-learning is the principle that it is the learner who is mobile rather than the device used to deliver m learning.

The integration of mobile technologies into training has made learning more accessible and portable. Mobile technologies make it possible for a learner to have access to a computer and subsequently learning material and activities; at any time and in any place.

Free from the need to be at a computer lab or station to students can work on PDAs at their desks, at home, at their workplace. Learners can take their PDAs on field trips to collect, store and analyse data on site.

Features

Mobile devices can include:

  • mobile phones
  • personal digital assistants (PDAs)
  • personal digital media players (eg iPods, MP3 players)
  • portable digital media players
  • portable digital multimedia players
  • portable gaming consoles
  • Ultra-mobile Personal Computers (light and small portable computers  that run Windows Operating Software as well as standard packages such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access)
  • tablet PCs (like laptop computers except they come with a special pen to select, drag, and open files as well as enter handwritten notes).
  • smart phones.
Mobile technologies can:
  • provide anytime, anywhere access to content (depending on the mobile device)
  • provide just-in-time training or review of content
  • enhance learner-centred approaches
  • facilitate collaboration through synchonous and asynchronous communication.

Mobile technologies can be used to deliver a range of formats for different learning strageties:

  • audio resources (podcasts, sound files)
  • video and photographic/graphic resources
  • communication (SMS and MMS messaging)
  • web content
  • portable documents (e books, word, excel, pdf etc)
  • activities (games, quizzes)
  • interactive content (navigable pages of topic information)
  • cross–platform activities and content (reuseable learning objects creating using SCORM also useable on Learner Management and other course delivery systems)
  • Bluetooth(system for mobile devices to connect and share information, files and applications)
  • Wi-Fi/WLAN (Wide Area Local Area Network) — learning activities where secure access to a campus based network of information is required.
  • Learning in proximity (using Global Positioning System or GPS-enabled devices to deliver content and learning activities triggered by a device or object at a specific location).

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Integrating mobile technologies

Mobile technologies can be integrated into training deliveries to make learning more accessible and portable. An m-learning approach should be deployed only to enhance the training strategy or authentic context for delivery so that learners are provided with opportunities to work from location or work.

Deploying m-learning materials can support equal access to learning by providing materials in a range of formats. For example, a learner who is unable to access a mobile learning resource using a mobile phone, media player or PDA should still be able to access a version of the learning activity using a web browser or via downloadable or print based resources.

An m-learning approach should respond to and address the diversity of the learner group, learning needs and styles.

M-learning should be deployed to provide situated, relevant and flexible learning activities that enhance contextual learning and communication and learning opportunities between and amongst learners and trainers.

Design steps

  1. Select the content to be presented and break it into appropriate chunks.
  2. Storyboard the structure of the content presentation.
  3. Build the content activity.
  4. Test and evaluate the content to ensure that it performs correctly in all situations.
  5. Pilot the learning content and activity with a select group of learners to evaluate the performance of your strategy across a range of devices and learning styles.

Consider the type of device you think will work to enhance your training delivery in your content area. Cost is an important consideration. A particular device may have the functionality required for your planned m-learning activities but it may be too costly for the learner group that you are working with. The cost of the device (initial investment) and using the device (ongoing investment) should be taken into consideration when developing learning activities to be carried out using a mobile device.

Assessment

Opportunities to use mobile technologies for assessment include:

  • learners to record their own presentations or demonstrations.
  • learners to record their own workplace data on site
  • learners undertake Occupational Health and Safety inductions via mobile content
  • learners record use of tools and processes via audio and video and publish to an LMS or blog
  • learners participate in mobile delivered role plays that require responses to various work place scenarios
  • learners to complete orientation to workplace technology, tools and policy via GPS workplace tour.

Generic skills

The use of mobile technologies provides opportunities for the development of a number of generic skills such as:

  • communicating ideas and information
  • working in teams
  • problem solving
  • using technology
  • researching
  • analysing data.

Technical notes

M-learning devices cover a range of hardware and delivery options. For more detailed information on hardware and software applications and deploying a variety of m-learning strategies visit the Austrtalian Flexible Learning Framework's A guide to working with m-learning standards.

Some mobile devices that deploy web-based browsers often do not support scripting or plug-ins, which means that the range of content that they support is limited. In many cases the user has no choice of browser and upgrading it is not possible.

Often the use of interactive and multimedia content will require the end user to have plug-ins (Flash, Shockwave, audio and video) installed on their PDA or MP3 player. While these plug-ins are becoming standard ensure your learners can download any software that is required to make the content presentation work properly. Ensure that any potential cost to the learner in using your m learning strategy is clearly explained. Provide alternative delivery options for situations where learners opt out of m learning opportunities due to the cost of connectivity or where a trainee’s employer does not support cost.

Skills

  • good planning and organisational skills
  • experience with mobile technologies or access to mentor with same
  • the confidence to trial different software packages independently
  • the ability to provide initial orientation to hardware, learning activities, mobile interaction to learners
  • the ability to deploy learning content in a variety of ways to support access by all learners.

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See also

From the Framework

More resources from the Australian Flexible Learning Framework

Tools and resources

Social bookmark for this strategy

http://del.icio.us/designelearn/mobile

Last modified: 15/9/08