Comments on: Why We Don’t Need “Mobile Learning”

By: #LearnTrends: Mobile Learning « Ronny Lohuis: Leren ontwikkelen

#LearnTrends: Mobile Learning « Ronny Lohuis: Leren ontwikkelen — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:06:58 +0000

[...] zegt: we zeggen ook niet ‘projector’-learning als we PowerPoint gebruiken, o.a. in deze blogpost van haar), maar om het slim toepassen van technologie (in welke setting dan [...]

By: Renee Robbins

Renee Robbins — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:51:54 +0000

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!!

By: Renee Robbins

Renee Robbins — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:29:34 +0000

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?

By: Judy Brown

Judy Brown — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:07:49 +0000

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.

By: Damien Garber

Damien Garber — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:45:26 +0000

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.