As a teacher what do you need to know before getting started with mobile learning implementation?

With Next Gen students preferring to access learning resources on their mobile devices, many educational institutions and colleges have already taken the initiative to implement mobile learning or M-learning. For teachers who are getting started on mobile learning, it is essential to have a well-defined mobile learning strategy in place. It helps to remember that mobile learning may not be the perfect solution for every training need.

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Mobile learning works wonderfully when you are considering:

A micro-learning solution

A performance support solution

There’s nothing that can match the flexibility of flipping out your smartphone and accessing information that will address your ‘moment of need’. One word of caution, your m-learning initiative requires some careful planning. Do not get on to the mobile learning bandwagon without asking yourself these questions:

What is M-learning?

The first thing teachers need to understand is that M-learning is different from E-Learning, as mobile learning means taking education to the mobile world through smartphones and other portable devices. Conducting lessons online may have seemed like a farfetched dream 30, 20, or even 10 years ago. Today, it is viable and encouraged, making education far more streamlined and accessible to all. It allows educators to connect and educate remotely and reach out to learners who cannot always attend in-person lessons.

Do you want your content to be accessed on a mobile device?

If your students are on the move more than deskbound, providing training on mobile devices can provide flexibility and convenience for completing training when and where students choose. It is one of the most important questions teachers need to ask when implementing mobile learning.

Check with your learners if m-learning is best for them

Everyone responds differently to different stimuli. Some learners might take to the idea of m-learning and love it. Others might take some time to come around or not respond well, which can be a great detriment to their learning experience. Always ask if m-learning is actually helping your learners if it would be a hindrance, or even perhaps a gateway to distraction.

Is your training content subject to frequent changes and updates?

If so, a micro-learning approach to mobile learning can allow you to easily edit individual modules without taking the training completely offline. Learning assets can also be repackaged to create new courses. It is one of the most important questions teachers need to ask when implementing mobile learning.

Do you want to create an ongoing training resource rather than a one-off learning experience?

A mobile learning solution can provide an on-demand resource that employees can access at the moment while performing work tasks. Mobile learning removes the need to memorize information since it can be always accessed.

Consider their digital literacy and needs

Not everyone is tech-savvy or has the technological requirements for M-learning. Before you try and adapt m-learning into your teaching practices, ask your learners if they understand what it entails and what they will need to do during these lessons. Assist them in finding the perfect medium, so everyone has access to the material and understands it.

Do you need learning to be immediately applied on the job?

Mobile learning allows for immediate application of knowledge on the job rather than being delayed until after completing eLearning or classroom training. It is one of the most important questions teachers need to ask when implementing mobile learning.

Consider Micro-learning

M-learning is perfect for facilitating micro-learning. Micro-learning is all about making lessons short and focused on specific information tailored to the subject at hand. It entails eliminating all the coaching and jumping right in, and utilizing alternate means to educate. You can teach using smaller packets of information that will save time and resources.

Is your content suitable for delivery on a small screen?

Your development team is responsible for a certain amount of this, but keep in mind that some training content doesn’t work well in a small format. It is one of the most important questions teachers need to ask when implementing mobile learning.