m-Learning (mlearning) What is m-learning (mlearning)? Why m-learning? Overview of m-learning What can we do with m-learning? What technology is currently available for m-learning? Benerfits of m-learning Disadvantages of m-learning devices What is m-learning (mlearning)? The term M-Learning or Mobile Learning refers to the use of handheld devices such as smartphones, tablets and any other handheld information technology device that many be use in teaching and learning. Top Why m-learning? m-Learning is reaching a new kind of user through: Convenience: accessible from anywhere (bus, class, laundry room) to content including quizzes and other assessments, balance sheets and other data, learning games, and other content delivered via apps. Collaboration: best learning takes place when we share and get immediate tips and feedback Portability: stacks of books are replaced by RAM with learning experices customized and connected (Reviwes and summaries chunked for on-the-go accesse) Compatibility: designed learning specially for mobile devices Engaging/Fun: combine gaming and learning for a more entertaing and effective experience. Top Overview of m-learning E-learning first emerged in the late 80s and in the 90s it moved from heavy desktops to laptops. Since then we have seen the processing power of handheld devices grow exponentially while becoming more affordable and even ubiquitous due to the demand for games, business communications, and in general the connected lifestyle of the wireless society. These things have oppened a new door to learning on the go whch we now call M-Learning. Top What can we do with m-learning? Access documets or document libraries Access quizes and self-assessment as question or games Prticipate in lessons and tutorials Receive lectures archived or broacasted live Access to video clip or audio libraries Read asynchronous postings Exhibit student work Participate in virtual learning communites on the go Interact with apps that are engaging and immersive Top What technology is currently available for 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 SMS but allows the inclusion of graphics. WAP: An international protocol that allows users to access the internet via their WAP enabled mobile phones. GPRS: An always on internet conneciton for mobile devices that provides greater speed of connection (171kb/s). Buetooth: A short range wireless connection. This enables devices to communicate with one another. 3G and 4G phones: By the end of the decade 4G (4th Generation mobile phones) will provide upto 100 megabits per second transmissions adequate for multimedia. PDAs: Personal Digital Assistants have evolved to mini PCs able to carry out many of the basic functions of a larger PC (not as popular now as they were in the early 2000s). MP3s: Audio file format that efficiently compresses files and enables them to be shared. CAMs: Video cameras now embedded into mobile phone and PDAs. Tablets: a mobile computers, usually having a touchscreen. The tablets are typically smaller than a notebook computer but larger than a smartphone. Top Benerfits of m-learning Interaction: Student interaction with instructors and among each other. Portability: Tabelts 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: People like mobile devices such as tablets, and smartphones as seem by recent marketing data. Increase motivation: Ownership of the handheld devices seems to increase commitment to using and learning from it. Bridging of the digital divide: Since handhelds are more affordable than larger systems they are accessible to a larger percentage of the population. Just-in-time learning: Increases work/learning performance and relevance to the learner. May assist learners with some disabilities. Top Disadvantages of m-learning devices Small screens of some mobile phones Limited storage capacities smaller phones Battery life/charge Lack of common operating system Lack of common hardware platform make it difficult to develop content for all. Less robust Limited potential for expansion with some devices Devices can become out of date quickly Wireless bandwidth is limited or costly and may degrade with a larger number of users Difficulties with printing, unless connected to a network