Mobile Learning -Impact and Effectiveness for Teaching / Learning

Abstract

As the quantity of information available increases exponentially and the general pace of life accelerates, the ability to navigate, access, validate and share information will be a pivotal skill in an increasingly complex environment. This skill will affect every part of a person’s existence, including everything from their ability to remain competitive in the workplace, to their ability to make personal choices about holidays, social activities and personal development projects. As mobile technologies become a household name both student and educators, the questions about mobile learning are shifting from a common sense rationale of every student having a mobile device to whether mobile learning enhances or improve learning, and if so, at what and shoes cost. Proponents mobile learning argue that handheld devices enable learners to learn anywhere and anytime. This article proposes four fundamental learning advantages that are gained more easily, or to a greater degree, through the use of mLearning than through traditional face to face instruction, paper based distance education or traditional eLearning. Based on secondary academic research, and field research into current examples of mLearning, this article provides an alternative definition for mobile learning (mLearning) and redicts some characteristics of the future learning environment, including the increased importance of metacognitive and literacy skills. It is proposed that mLearning can provide access, context, collaboration and appeal advantages and additional facilitation measures for facilitators. Finally, a glimpse of the future will be provided including hypothetical examples.