Outline - Topic 5 - Definition
What is mobile learning?
As any other academic terms, mobile learning (for short, m-learning) has many definitions. Some of the definitions are: “… e-learning through mobile computational devices.” (Quinn, 2002) “… any sort of learning that happens when the learner is not at a fixed, predetermined location, or learning that happens when the learner takes advantage of the learning opportunities offered by mobile technologies.” (O’Malley et al., 2003) "learning across multiple contexts, through social and content interactions, using personal electronic devices"(Crompton, 2013, p4). Mobile learning does not simply mean learning through mobile devices . The feasibility or the extent of mobile learning depends on the following factors or conditions:
Mobility of technology First of all, the implementation of mobile learning must have the support of mobile technologies. Without mobile technologies would it be hard for individual students to be engaged in learning activities on the go. Mobility of technology is undoubtedly a necessary condition for mobile learning to take place in practice. The mobility of technology is equipped in the mobile devices . For instance, mobile phones, Pads, tablets, or portal notebooks are commonly equipped with 3G/4G or Wi-Fi technology for easily connection to the Internet. Mobility of learners Learners may not always be in the classroom or in school. They may be at a sports center, library, or on the bus. It would not be that realistic to talk about mobile learning for a person who is not possible to move around physically. By using mobile devices equipped with mobile technologies, learners can easily access online information or resources even when they are not in the classroom or in the computer lab. They don't need to stay at a physical location to access learning resources. One example of mobility of learners can be students joining a field trip to the zoo or to a museum. They move out of the classroom to learn from an authentic environment. Mobility of learning In general, learning can take place at anytime and anywhere. For instance, when a student is walking on a road, he suddenly sees a unknown plant or an animal. He may immediate google what the plant or animal is, and what characteristics it has. In that case, learning naturally happens. Also, a student may be reading an online book on iPad when he is taking a bus or a train. Or a student may discuss with their peers about a group assignment when s/he is traveling in another country. Mobile learning is closely related to seamless learning, ubiquitous learning and context-awareness. Seamless learning or ubiquitous learning means learning can take place at anytime anywhere. Context-awareness is something a bit different. It is about awareness of one's surroundings and their potential to provide just-in time information, practical information, or rich learning experiences. Context-aware learning enables learners to use personal and social technologies to draw on aspects of their environment, including people who can join or help, approaching the environment as a dynamic learning resource (Luckin, 2010). For instance, when a person is traveling in a new city of another country, he suddenly sees a special building and wants to know the history of the building. The context-aware technology in his mobile phone can detect his location and locate that building, and provide just-in-time information. In general, the context-aware technology is in relation to other people and objects nearby, and adapt the learning experience accordingly (Kukulska-Hulme, 2010). Why is mobile learning important? Even though mobile learning may be hindered by low bandwidth and limited input and output capabilities of mobile devices, it has some distinct potentials as follow (Koole, 2009):
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