Mobile learning

Done By:$$ Qais Al-Moqbali $$$$ Amer Al-Abri $$Tech3422

Outline

Definition of M-Learning1

History2

Using3

Technology to support4

5 Features

6 Advantage

7 Limitation/challenges

8 Example

Definition of M-Learning

Learning that happens across locations, or that takes

advantage of learning opportunities offered by portable

technologies. In other words, mobile learning decreases

limitation of learning location with the mobility of general

portable devices.

Technologists place a high emphasis on novelty and the

functionality of the devices (phones, PDAs, iPods, PSPs)

themselves

History :1990s 

Universities in Europe and Asia develop and evaluate mobile learning for students.   2000s   The European Commission funds the major multi-national  M-Learning projects.  Companies were formed that specialize in three core areas of mobile learning. 

Authoring and publishing   Delivery and Tracking   Content Development  

    The International Association for Mobile Learning  The International Association for Mobile Learning has been formed as a membership organization to promote excellence in research, development and application of mobile and contextual learning.  2008 Assistant Professor Matthew Kam from Carnegie Mellon University developed mobile phone learning games for children in rural India.

Using M-learning

M-learning offers a powerful and practical solution to many learning and training challenges, such as:

in collaborative projects and fieldwork

as a classroom alternative to books or computers

where learners are widely dispersed

to engage with learners who in the past have felt excluded

in promotional and awareness campaigns

for ‘just-in-time’ employee training. 

The link below show video on youtube that show Mobile Learning on BlackBerry

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFdO4x0G3Gc

Technology to support M-learning

SMS: Short Message Service allows users to send/receive messages of

up to 160 characters between mobile phones (text messaging).

MMS: Multmedia Messaging Service serves the same purpose as SM

but allows the inclusionof graphics.

WAP: An international protocol that allows users to access the internet via their WAP enabled mobile phones.

Buetooth: A short range wireless conneciton. This enables PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) to pass messages to and from other mobile devices.

PDAs: Personal Digital Assistants have evolved to mini PCs able to carry out many of the basic functions of a larger PC using the Palm OS or MS Pocket PC operating system.

MP3s: Audio file format that efficiently compresses files and enables them to be shared.

CAMs: Video cameras now embedded into mobile phone and PDAs.

Features of M-learning

Enables knowledge building by learners in different contexts. 

Enables learners to construct understandings.  

M-learning is convenient, in the sense that it is accessible virtually

from anywhere(class, taxi, laundry room, …)  

M-learning is collaborative; that is sharing is almost instantly among everyone

using the same content, which will in turn also lead to receiving instant feedback

and tips. That will be the best kind of learning  

M-learning is engaging and fun. With this kind of learning, it is much easier to

combine gaming and learning for a more effective and entertaining experience

Advantage of M-learning  Interaction: Student interaction with instructors and among each other.

Portability: PDAs are lighter than books and enable the student to take notes or input data directly into the device regardless of location either typed, handwritten or using voice.

Collaborative: Enables several students work together on assignments even while at distant locations.

Engaging learners: The new generation likes mobile devices such as PDAs, phones and games devices.

Increase motivation: Owner ship of the handheld devices seems to increase commitment to using and learning from it.

Just-in-time learning: Increases work/learning performance and relevance to the learner.

autonomy : Mobile learning provide the student  more autonomy and flexibility especially in distance education.   

M-learning Limitation/challenges

M-learning challenges are divided in tow type:

  1-  Technical challenges  

2-   Social and educational challenges

M-learning Limitation/challenges

Technical challenges Social and educational challenges

Small Screen size   Small key size  

 Limited Performance, in terms of processor capability, available memory, storage space and battery life.   Slow Connectivity of the internet     Left- to-right scrolling, web sites too big to see effectively on small screen 

  Difficult to assess learning on mobile phone

No demographic boundary  Mobile communication is still expensive – especially from abroad

Example:

There are numbers of activities available in our M-learning resources. To get some example  please go to  this link and found  many courses desiring

for m-learning: 

http://www.mlearning.org/demos/demo.htm

Resource

http://www.grayharriman.com/mlearning.htm#5

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M-learning#History

http://www.m-learning.org

 http://www.m-learning.org/how/how-can-i-use-m-

learning-.html

http://www.grayharriman.com/mlearning.htm#2

©2009