A mobile learning definition for my Campus

A definition …. and a little history

I was preparing for a class on mobile learning for the faculty of my campus. Something to get them thinking or started with mobile learning. I was adding a PowerPoint slide on the definition of mobile learning from some sources on the Internet. The definition looked good….

It defined mobile learning essentially as distance or e-learning on a mobile device.

This simple definition seems to work but how practical is it for my campus?

I teach at a pretty good size community college (main and satellite campus) that is part of a county system of 10 campuses (yes, our District is very large by most standards but the campus is not). Our I/T infra-structure is very good. We have many opportunities for students and staff to access college computer resources from on campus (wired and wireless) and from home via the Internet. The mobile devices used by staff and students are quite powerful but not all students or staff have the financial resources for high end smart phones with application support and always on data connections. Most all have unlimited text messaging and many also have Internet connectivity with their cell phones. I think the mobile technology is typical for most metropolitan campuses.

Our faculty are suffering a little from technology shock (in total and not use mobile technology). A lot of money has been spent on technology but not all of the technology has lived up to the hype. As a result, there are many who may look at mobile technology as being a little "over the top" and something that is in the future and not today. Because of this, I know my best bet for mobile technology is with a teacher who has traditionally been an early adopter and supportive of new technology even with a few bumps and bruises. New faculty are also good candidates because they are typically techno savvy and are looking for a way to set them apart from more established faculty. Having said this and by giving you a little history.... Now from a practical standpoint, my definition...

A new definition – mobile assisted technology

Mobile learning technology on my campus will initially be rolled out as "mobile assisted technology". This means the mobile device will not be a primary or exclusive delivery mechanism. More likely for now, mobile devices will be used to supplement learning in one of a couple of ways. This mobile assisted technology can help the college in areas of student retention and active learning.

Student Retention

Community college student's multi task. They expect and require information to be available on-line and real time. They work on many things at the same time and they like it that way. Learning providers have to understand that this is the learning style they prefer. One way to support this is through the use mobile devices to provide syllabi, course calendars, course assignments via web pages browsable on a mobile device. With products like MLEX, one page can be used for both a PC or mobile display. The extra work for faculty to support a mobile component is marginal. The only limitation currently caused by providing mobile support is that the display size and technology supported in mobile browsers limit some page features (graphics size, animation, javascript). On-line, real-time, portable and mobile delivery of class information is quite feasible.

Active Learning

We often forget that most mobile devices are also computers. They also can support the recording and playback of audio and video not to mention digital pictures. I was walking across campus and a group of students approached me with a digital camera to record my response a their question they were asking students and faculty for use in their class. They were going to take my answer back to class. Discuss it with other students. Why not have a geology or botany class go out into the campus and take pictures of rocks and trees and catalog them with digital pictures? A cell phone is just the tool needed. For many active learning exercises, the mobile device is not the primary means of learning but an assistant in learning.

State of Mobile on my Campus

There is no scenario today on my campus where exclusive delivery on a mobile device is practical or essential. Distance learning is typically not an option for our campus which is a typical residential campus who just expanded into e-Learning just a few short years ago (I suspect very typical of many community colleges). But.... as hopefully my definition will demonstrate, mobile learning does have a place today in our toolbox for learning.

Any comments....