INTRODUCTION
Mobile
learning through the use of wireless mobile technology allows anyone to access
information and learning materials from anywhere and anytime. As a result,
learners have control of when they want to learn and from which location they
want to learn. Also, all humans have the right to access learning materials and
information to improve their quality of life regardless of where they live,
their status, and their culture. Mobile learning, through the use of mobile
technology, will allow citizens of the world to access learning materials and
information from anywhere and at anytime.
MOBILE LEANING
– MEANING
Mobile
learning sometimes called m-learning, is learning accomplished with the use of
small, portable computing devices. These computing devices may include; smart
phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and similar handheld devices.
m-learning
is a type of personal learning that has infinite possibilities; it allows more
and more people to gather knowledge on the go, to realize their dreams of a
better future. Mobile learning is a new and unique component of distance
learning.
MOBILE
LEARNING- DEFINITIONS
“e-learning
that uses mobile devices and wireless transmission.”
-Pinkwert.et.al
(2003)
“Learning
that happens across locations, or that takes advantage of learning
opportunities offered by portable technologies.”
GROWTH
OF MOBILE LEARNING
Over
the past ten years mobile learning has grown from a minor research interest to
a set of significant projects in schools, workplaces, museums, cities and rural
areas around the world. The M-Learning community is still fragmented, with different
national perspectives, differences between academic and industry, and between
the school, higher education and lifelong learning sectors.
CHARACTERISTICS
OF MOBILE LEARNING
Ø Urgency of learning need
Ø Initiative of knowledge acquisition
Ø Mobility of learning setting
Ø Interactivity of the learning process
Ø Situational aspects of instructional activities
Ø Integration of instructional content
BENEFITS
OFFERED BY M-LEARNING
ü It offers an
interactive learning experience where learners can interact with one another.
ü It’s easier to
accommodate several mobile devices in a classroom that several desktop
computers.
ü It is not always easy
to work on a computer sitting in a far off village or town, but a mobile can be
accessed anywhere.
ü Writing with the stylus
pen is more effective than using keyboard and mouse.
ü Mobile devices can be
used anywhere, anytime, including offices, homes or when in transit.
ü This technology may
contribute to combating the digital divide, as mobile devices are generally
cheaper than desktop computers.
ü Mobile technologies
also support learning experiences that are collaborative, accessible, and
integrated with the world beyond the classroom.
ü Can enhance
student-centered learning.
ü Can enhance interaction
between and among students and instructors.
ü Facilitate
collaboration through synchronous and asynchronous communication.
DISADVANTAGES
Þ Small mobile and PDA (Personal
Digital Assistants) screens limit the amount and type of information that can
be displayed.
Þ There are limited storage
capacities for mobiles and PDAs.
Þ Batteries have to be charged
regularly, and data can be lost if this is not done correctly.
Þ They can be much less robust than
desktops (although tablet PCs are beginning to tackle this problem).
Þ It’s difficult to use moving
graphics, especially with mobile phones, although 3G and 4G will eventually
allow this.
Þ It’s a fast-moving market,
especially for mobile phones, so devices can become out of date very quickly.
Þ Bandwidth may degrade with a larger
number of users when using wireless networks.
SCOPE
OF MOBILE LEARNING
v Students using mobile
devices in the classroom to enhance group collaboration among students and
instructors using a pocket PC.
v On the job training for
someone who accesses training on a mobile device “Just in time” to solve a
problem or gain an update.
v Learning in museums or
galleries with handheld or wearable technologies.
v Improving levels of
literacy, numeracy and participation in education amongst young adults.
v Class management
through text SMS notices regarding availability of assignment results, venue
changes and cancellations, etc.,
CHALLENGES
OF MOBILE LEARNING
Ø May make it easier to cheat.
Ø Could give tech-savvy students an advantage over
non-technical students.
Ø Can create a feeling of isolation or of being
out-of-the-loop for non-techies.
Ø May require media to be reformatted or offered in multiple
formats.
Ø Might render some content outdated because of rapid
upgrades-here today, outdated tomorrow.
Ø Could require additional learning curve for non-technical
students and faculty.
Ø May be used as a new high-tech package for the same old dull
and boring content.
PEDAGOGICAL
IMPLICATION
Mobile
computing/communication devices offer a unique opportunity for teachers and
students if different kinds of instructional settings to capitalize on the
flexibility and freedom afforded by these devices. However, these benefits
demand new pedagogies and new approaches to delivering and facilitating
instruction.
If
appropriately facilitated, mobile learning can benefit learners by providing
instructional materials and interaction through their mobile devices wherever
and whenever they need it. Instructors also benefit in that they, too, can
access serving and interact with students while on the move. To keep up with
this changing phenomenon and to effectively facilitate mobile learning, argued
sharma and kitchens, it is ipeperactive that instructors learn about and adapt
to the changing environments, when and where appropriate.
PARAMETERS
FOR M-LEARNING
PORTABLE
If
you are using a mobile phone, then it’s easier to curry in along with you
everwhere including the restroom. This m arks information access through this
platform easy and fast.
SOCIAL
INTERACTION
The
data can be sent to your friends, colleagues and others via short
message you can exchanging.
SENSITIVE
TO THE CONTECH.
This
has capability of gathering data unque to the current localition,
government
CONNECTIVITY
Connectivity
plays an extremely important role and is the backbone of
m-learning. With the help of a strong connectivity network, one can connect to
Jata collection devices, other mobile phones and to a common network.
CUSTOMIZED
The
most unique capability is to be able to offer customized learning information.
CLASSROOM
MANAGEMENT
The
mobile learning stysem. Includes the mobile phone broadcasting
sub-system.
And
the classroom management sub-system. The system’s physical framework can be
divided in to three parts classroom cluster, server, and client on mobile
phone. Instructors, students and system administration are the three groups
that groups that are involved in this mobile learning; and each of them plays
an important role in the successful delivery of course content and materials to
mobile devices.
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