MLearning
Description
mLearning, short for mobile learning, represents the intersection of elearning and hand-held devices with web access. Devices like smartphones, personal digital assistants, tablets, and netbooks all allow users to access web resources when on the move. Additionally, hand-held devices are tools by which to create online content.
These devices access the web through two primary networking technologies: wifi access via a wireless router, or broadband access via a cellular ("mobile) phone network. Many hand-helds integrate both technologies.
Note: this page's activities require access to a hand-held device, including (potentially) the installation of applications.
Design Questions/Issues
One of the tensions presented by the advent of these devices is providing rich online content while creating resources accessible (and functional) from handhelds. In the context of developing online course sites (via a learning management system), to what extent does a learning management system create content that is hand-held consumable? What sorts of web technologies aren't hand-held compatible? To what extent should mLearning be taken into account when creating an LMS course site?
Educause poses the following questions about mLearning:
- What is the rationale for implementing mobile learning technologies?
- How does ubiquitous access to a wireless network change the dynamics of learning both in and out of the classroom?
- What are best practices for using mobile learning?
- What end-user support is important for mobile learning? How can it best be provided?
Activity
In the context of ETEC 565, explore two different aspects of mLearning: the end user (student) experience and as a course designer.
End user experience - mobile browser
- Try accessing both your course LMS site a via a hand-held device via its browser
- Try accessing a learning module and replying to a discussion forum
- Analyze performance, including load times, page rendering, tool access
- Reflect on your experience as an end user: to what extent are these sites accessible via your hand-held via a mobile device browser?
- Supplemental: once you have set up (and published) your course project LMS site, try accessing the staff functions via a mobile browser.
End user experience - app
- Is there an app for your LMS?
- Try accessing both your course LMS site using the app
- Try accessing a learning module and replying to a discussion forum
- Analyze performance, including load times, page rendering, tool access: did having an app affect the end user experience? How?
- Reflect on your experience as an end user: to what extent are these sites accessible via your hand-held via the dedicated app?
- Supplemental: once you have set up (and published) your course project LMS site, try accessing the staff functions via its app
Course designer experience
- Using your hand-held device, capture some photos, audio or video
- Try adding some of this content to your course project LMS site via the device
- Analyze performance, including load times, page rendering, tool access
- Did you use an app or a mobile browser (or perhaps both)?
- Reflect on your experience as a course designer: how successful were you in creating LMS content via your hand-held?
Reflection
Write an entry for your course weblog about mLearning as both an end user and course designer (on your "Reflections" page and posting a new entry). Feel free to use the questions from the activity as a starting point if you wish.