What is Mobile Learning? (Taken from http://www.excellencegateway.org.uk/page.aspx?o=ferl.aclearn.page.id958)

Introduction

The term mobile learning (m-learning) refers to the use of mobile and handheld IT devices, such as Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), mobile telephones, laptops and tablet PC technologies, in teaching and learning.

As computers and the internet become essential educational tools, the technologies become more portable, affordable, effective and easy to use. This provides many opportunities for widening participation and access to ICT, and in particular the internet. Mobile devices such as phones and PDAs are much more reasonably priced than desktop computers, and therefore represent a less expensive method of accessing the internet (though the cost of connection can be higher). The introduction of tablet PCs now allows mobile internet access with equal, if not more, functionality than desktop computers.

Why use mobile devices for learning?

Most mobile devices are useful in education as administration, organisation and teaching aids for practitioners, and also as learning support tools for learners. Here are some of the main benefits:

• Learners can interact with each other and with the practitioner instead of hiding behind large monitors.
• It's much easier to accommodate several mobile devices in a classroom than several desktop computers.
• PDAs or tablets holding notes and e-books are lighter and less bulky than bags full of files, paper and textbooks, or even laptops.
• Handwriting with the stylus pen is more intuitive than using keyboard and mouse.
• It's possible to share assignments and work collaboratively; learners and practitioners can e-mail, cut, copy and paste text, pass the device around a group, or 'beam'? the work to each other using the infrared function of a PDA or a wireless network such as Bluetooth.
• Mobile devices can be used anywhere, anytime, including at home, on the train, in hotels - this is invaluable for work-based training.
• These devices engage learners - young people who may have lost interest in education - like mobile phones, gadgets and games devices such as Nintendo DS or Playstation Portable.
• This technology may contribute to combating the digital divide, as this equipment (for example PDAs) is generally cheaper than desktop computers.

However, you may also need to consider the following potential disadvantages:

• Small mobile and PDA screens limit the amount and type of information that can be displayed.
• There are limited storage capacities for mobiles and PDAs.
• Batteries have to be charged regularly, and data can be lost if this is not done correctly.
• They can be much less robust than desktops (although tablet PCs are beginning to tackle this problem).
• It's difficult to use moving graphics, especially with mobile phones, although 3G and 4G will eventually allow this.
• It's a fast-moving market, especially for mobile phones, so devices can become out of date very quickly.
• Bandwidth may degrade with a larger number of users when using wireless networks.

Accessibility and m-learning

The size, shape, weight and portability of mobile devices make them particularly effective for users with disabilities. The organiser functions usually included in mobile devices are extremely useful for learners with learning difficulties to help them organise their lives and achieve some independence. PDAs often also incorporate dictionaries and thesauruses, which provide handy reference tools for learners with dyslexia or other learning difficulties. Tablet PCs include text-to-speech and voice recognition as standard tools, which are valuable for users with disabilities or learning difficulties. The devices can also be attached to wheelchairs with the use of small brackets.

However, many of the other features are not so user friendly. For instance, the small buttons can be difficult for people with little manual dexterity to manipulate. The stylus pens are often narrow and small, and require accurate use to work correctly. You can purchase attachable keyboards for PDAs, but these are also quite small, and options for switch or mouse access are limited. They can be also be a little flimsy. The small screen sizes of PDAs and mobiles are not ideal, as the display tends to be cramped, which is unhelpful for people with dyslexia and other learning difficulties. The restricted functionality of the operating systems used by PDAs also adds to the problems, as users with disabilities need to be able to customise colour, text size and font.

Conclusion

Mobile learning may currently be most useful as a supplement to ICT, online learning and more traditional learning methods, and can do much to enrich the learning experience. It is widely believed that mobile learning could be a huge factor in getting disaffected young adults to engage in learning, where more traditional methods have failed. As mobile phones combine PDA functions with cameras, video and MP3 players, and as tablets combine the portability of PDAs with the functionality of desktops, the world of learning becomes more mobile, more flexible and more exciting.

Further information

Mobile learning

• m-learning. A fascinating EC-funded project, looking at how mobile technologies can be used to enhance learning among 16-24 year olds who are not currently taking part in education or training.
• MOBIlearn Project. Another EC funded research and development project exploring context-sensitive approaches to informal, problem-based and workplace learning by using key advances in mobile technologies.