The other day I was taking part in a #lrnchat discussion on Twitter and somebody said, “please, no more terms! Don’t we have enough?” It got me thinking about how many words and phrases we create in the learning profession. But I think part of the problem is we aren’t all on the same page with new terms and how they can replace outdated ones. Let’s take a look at “mobile learning” and perhaps by the end of this post you will have one less phrase to remember.
You can see by the Wikipedia definition that “mobile learning” has quite a few meanings depending on who you ask. Nevertheless the main criterion needed to call something “mobile learning” are (1) the learner is not in a fixed location and (2) they are using a mobile technology. I don’t think these criterion hold up. For instance, while the mobility aspect of “mobile learning” is key, I would like to point out that people have begun using their iPhones, Blackberrys, and PDAs as part of formal “fixed environment” classroom. The functionality they provide is used to contribute to polls, take notes, ask questions, etc. As for the second criteria, as technology evolves what wouldn’t be considered a mobile device? For example, with the development of the iPhone my day planner, address book, radio, and computer fit in the palm of my hand (all things that took up sizable space on my desk 5 years ago). I can watch a compliance training course on the train, send a tweet requesting information from the hallway before a meeting, or conduct a teleconference from my car. To me that’s why the term “social media” is a better fit than “mobile learning.” The term “social media” is in reference to a group of tools where “mobile learning” focuses on the location of the learning.
I guess long story short, do we call it “projector learning” when we use PowerPoint, run movies, or show pictures? No. We use a projector as a technology to use these tools – much in the same way we should be using mobile devices and other “technologically advanced”tools. We need to get beyond the technology and focus on the tools. Once we do this I think we will have better outcomes when explaining the need to incorporate these tools into our educational programming to our executives.
Best,
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Great post! Some very valid points here. I agree that the term “mobile” learning is a misnomer. It’s very much a misunderstood term. I mean, really, mobile learning could also mean learning done on a laptop…but who cares? I think that “mobile” learning is an invention of the sales process by elearning sales organizations. It’s a sexy word to throw out there because everyone loves their iphones and blackberries but has no substantive purpose in the real world elearning space. Social Media integration is a much better way at looking at this process.
Since 1996 I have been working with and following learning projects which include access to readily available devices all the time. This week I conducted several sessions on what we have come to call “mobile learning”. I brought up your blog to see if I was alone in disagreeing with you. I was not.
I do agree that it is not about the technology, but the capabilities that are possible using a device that we carry with us. It is about the experience of instant access anywhere we want or need access to previous or new learning.
For the foreseeable future as we are moving into this new lifestyle, I believe that we still need to keep some sort of means of identity and mobile learning is that which has seemed to have stuck. Designers and developers deploying learning or performance support using mobile devices need to think differently about their content and size. They have access to much more information including location, context, and personalization.
If we continue to use the classroom experience as our model, we are missing so many opportunities possible with ubiquitous devices.
Damien – Thanks for your comment! As you said, the “mobile” learning definition does not just define cell phone technology, but technology that will allow you to be on the move. I believe that accessability is more than a “trend” and will continue to be the goal of anyone that has an end user to please. Therefore, as stated, what won’t be considered mobile?
Judy – Thanks for your feedback and sharing the thoughts of the others in your sessions. I am glad that we agree we should not define learning by the technology, but instead leverage the tools that technological advances provide.
But to take a look at technologies for a moment, I believe that the comment you made about content and size can be argued for devices other than cell phones and PDAs (which I believe is what you are calling “mobile devices”). For instance when creating learning modules targeted at a sales rep who is using their laptop on the road, you need to take into consideration the size of the module in order to ensure they can access it through a slow hotel internet connection.
I also agree with you that we cannot adhere to the standard classroom model. However, in the end I believe that the classification of “mobile learning” will give way to accessibility simply being a key indicator of a quality learning opportunity.
Thanks again for your comment! It was very thought provoking!!