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Mobile Learning

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 Mobile Learning
Mr. G. Praveen Kumar* and Dr. M. Vasimalairaja*

Abstract
Mobile learning (M-Learning) is gaining much importance among the new generation.
Mobile learning enhances students thinking and motivates them for deep learning and thus
leads to meaningful creation of knowledge. Among the advantages of mobile learning, few
important ones include; mobile learning is an additional or supporting source of learning
that are available any time; anyplace; any network; on any wireless device, etc. Mobile
learning raises the learning interest and communication of learners as it provides learning
material in different formats that are accessible at any time. Mobile learning supports
new ways of learning through mobile devices, such as, mobile phones, smart phones and
MP3 players. The main objective of the present chapter is to describe the present state
of mobile learning, benefits, features, and its challenges to sustenance learning and also
describes about various mobile apps. A mobile application is a software application that is
developed for various learning activities and works on like smartphones and tablets, rather
than desktop or laptop computers.
Keywords: Learning, Mobile Learning, M – Learning, Mobile Apps

INTRODUCTION
The world is changing rapidly and the growth of knowledge is phenomenal. Knowledge
is no more limited to books and the use of technology related applications such as websites,
apps, videos, live chats, etc., is increasing day by day. Technology has become a defining
force in the lives of people and its relevance is spreading to every field in one way or another.
Everyone has his/ her own views on modernizing education and toady many people would
support technology-enabled. As technology is embraced by the educational institutions, the
importance of technology in education has raised for many reasons. Its positives outnumber
the negatives and now, with technology, education has taken a whole new meaning that it
leaves us with no doubt that our educational system has been transformed owing to the ever-
advancing technology. Technology and education make a great combination, if used together
with a right reason and vision.

MOBILE LEARNING
Mobile learning is the capability to attain or provide educational content on individual
pocket devices such as PDAs, smartphones and mobile phones. Educational content in this
context refers to digital learning resources accessible on any individual electronic device. Dikkers
(2012) states “Mobile learning (M-Learning) is when the learning experience that you’re trying to
design happens to be out and about in the world”. Mobile learning allows flexible learning and
is a mixture of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) providing education anytime

*Research Scholar-Ph.D., Department of Education (DDE), Alagappa University, Karaikudi. E-mail: [email protected]
**Associate Professor, Department of Education (DDE), Alagappa University, Karaikudi. E-mail: [email protected]

97
Mobile learning is the capability to attain or provide educational content on individual pocket
devices such as PDAs, smartphones and mobile phones. Educational content in this context
refers to digital learning resources accessible on any individual electronic device. Dikkers (2012)
98   Mr. G. Praveen Kumar and Dr. M. Vasimalairaja
states “Mobile learning (M-Learning) is when the learning experience that you‟re trying to
and anyplace. In mobile learning learners can use mobile
design happens
devices to beeducational
to access out and about in the
resources, world”.
share Mobileor
with others,
produce
learning content,
allows both inside
flexible and outside
learning and is classrooms.
a mixtureMobile
of
learning also takes care of administration of educational
Information andhelps
systems and Communication Technologies between
in enhanced communication (ICT)
institutions and families.
providingTen
education anytime and anyplace. In mobile learning
parts in which mobile learning stands verifying its
value can
learners as a learning delivery
use mobile platformtoareaccess
devices as follows:
educational
1. Enlarge the reach of education – spreading
resources, share with others,
educational or produce
opportunities content,
to those whoboth inside
do not have
and outside access to education, make groups of learners where
classrooms. Mobile learning also takes care of
they didn’t exist earlier and reaching more people
administration of educational
than via traditionalsystems and helps intraining
classroom-based enhanced and
learning.
communication between institutions and families.
2. Promote adapted learning – since mobile technologies are particularly portable and relatively
economical, learning is much easy.
Ten parts 3.in which
Support mobile learning
learners with stands verifying
disabilities – withits the
value as a learning
combination delivery platformvoice-
of text-enlargement, are
transcription, location-aware and text-to-speech tools, and mobile devices can significantly
as follows: improve the knowledge of students who have physical disabilities.
1. Enlarge the reach
4. Delivery of education
of instant response– and spreading
assessmenteducational opportunities
- messages sent by to thosedevices
mobile who doare
fast, dependable, and less expensive than other communication channels, so students
not have
andaccess
teachersto education, make groups
are progressively usingofthemlearners where they
to simplify didn‟t existofearlier
the exchange and
information,
restructuring
reaching more people valuations
than viaand providing
traditional learners and teachers
classroom-based with learning.
training and instant indicators of
development.
2. Promote
5. Permits adapted learning
anytime, – since
anyplace mobile
learning technologies
- since individualsare particularly
carry portable
mobile devices with and
them,
learning can happen at any time
relatively economical, learning is much easy. and anyplace that were not previously thought to be the
preserve of ‘education and learning’.
3. Support
6. Bridgeslearners with
official anddisabilities
casual learning– with the acombination
- using mobile device, oflearners
text-enlargement, voice-
can access additional
resources location-aware
transcription, to simplify thoughtsand introduced in a classroom,
text-to-speech tools, and ensuring
mobilethatdevices
learning can
which
happens inside and outside classrooms is equally helpful.
significantly
7. Ensuresimprove
classroom the knowledge of students
time is creative - whenwho haveuse
students physical
mobiledisabilities.
technology to complete
4. Delivery of instant response and assessment - messages sent by mobilethey
learning tasks, such as attending a lecture or remembering information, have are
devices extra
time to discuss thoughts, share information, work collaboratively and contribute in various
fast, dependable, and lessinexpensive
activities happening a classroom.thanSo,
other communication
mobile learning can channels, so students
give learners and
better chances
to enhance the complex skills.
8. Supports situated learning –learning is supplemented and supported with providing situations
matching the theme of learning. For example, ‘audio guides’ placed at exhibition halls and
art galleries, etc. that permit visitors to know information about specific articles or different
art works while visiting such places.
9. Increases seamless learning – helps to obtain up-to-date information via cloud computing
and cloud storage, regardless of the hardware learner’s use to access that content. Since
both learning materials and information about a learner’s progress are stored on remote
servers rather than on a single device’s hard drive, students can access their learning
material from a number of devices, as and when they need it. Moreover, because computing
is increasingly moving to the cloud, devices don’t necessarily need expensive processors
 Mobile Learning   99

to make use of sophisticated software. They merely need to provide learners connection
to the internet.
10. Minimizes educational disruption in disaster areas - mobile devices can help ensure
the continuation of education during times of natural or man-made crisis, since mobiles are
comparatively easy to repair.

Fundamentals of Mobile Learning

Fundamentals of mobile learning includes the following elements such as learner, educator,
Fundamentals of mobile learning includes the following elements such as learner, educator,
content, surroundings
content, surroundings and valuation
and valuation and and
are are shown
shown ininFig.1
Fig.1below:
below:

Learner

Educator
Valuation
Mobile
Learning

Surroundings Content

Fig. 1: Fundamentals of M-Learning

Fig. 1: Fundamentals of M-Learning
A description of these elements is given below:
A description of these elements is given below:
• Learner: Learners are the primary players of not only mobile learning but any learning
process. Thus, mobile learning also requires leaners as the primary stakeholders. They
 Learner:
complete Learners
education via are the primary
using mobile players of not
devices. Theonly mobile in
activities learning
whichbutthe
anylearners’
learning get
engaged typically
process. aremobile
Thus, as follows:
learning also requires leaners as the primary stakeholders. They
• Access information when they need
complete education via using mobile devices. The activities in which the learners‟ get
• Take responsibility o f own learning
engaged typically are as follows:
• Learning at their own speed
 Access information when they need
• Discover and use their learning styles
• Create Takeshare
 and responsibility of own
information or learning
product
• Learning
Study with at theircollaboratively
their peers own speed
• Evaluate themselves
 Discover and
and use other
their groups
learning styles
• Educator: Books
Createand otherinformation
and share media elements
or productstore information and teachers convey it
to students in traditional learning environments. According to Halis (2002), the situation
created a newStudy with theiropposed
dimension peers collaboratively
to traditional teacher role about information search
and use. The following
 Evaluate figure provides
themselves and othermuch
groupsreduced overview of the changing roles of
teachers:
 Educator: Books and other media elements store information and teachers convey it to
students in traditional learning environments. According to Halis (2002), the situation
created a new dimension opposed to traditional teacher role about information search and
 use. The following figure provides much reduced overview of the changing roles of
100   Mr. G. Praveen Kumar and Dr. M. Vasimalairaja
teachers:

Fig 2: Teachers’ Role in Technology Era (Ghaln, 2011)

Fig 2: Teachers’ Role in Technology Era (Ghaln, 2011)
 Content: Content should be decided in consultation with all stakeholders such as
• Content: Content should be decided in consultation with all stakeholders such as learners,
learners, teachers, parents etc. otherwise teachers cannot get the desired results. Learning
teachers, parents etc. otherwise teachers cannot get the desired results. Learning content
content
must musta enable
enable user toaquickly
user tozone
quickly
into zone intoinformation.
needed needed information.
The contentThecan
content can be
be presented
with interactive games or quizzes. Content should also be supported with graphics, video
presented with interactive games or quizzes. Content should also be supported with
and other multimedia elements.
graphics, video and
• Surroundings: other multimedia
Surroundings must elements.
be designed properly to obtain positive learning
experiences. Environment is that place helps students acquire information. Students studying
 Surroundings: Surroundings must be designed properly to obtain positive learning
entirely online must have access to all the contents assignment requirements and relevant
experiences.
resources. Environment
Students is that
attending place helps
face-to-face students
classes acquire the
may receive information.
content in Students
class and
additional content via online with mobile technologies.
studying entirely online must have access to all the contents assignment requirements and
• Valuation: Valuation is a critical component of m-learning. Mobile technologies can assess
relevant
record andresources. Students
report learner attendingtoface-to-face
performance classes
the instructors. So, may receive
student the content
evaluation shouldinbe
made via database logs, software packages, online exams,
class and additional content via online with mobile technologies. chat room, discussion board,
online quizzes or project evaluation.
Valuation: Valuation is a critical component of m-learning. Mobile technologies can

Characteristics of Mobile
assess record and reportLearning
learner performance to the instructors. So, student evaluation
Mobile learning
should be has
madedifferent characteristics.
via database The chief
logs, software characteristics
packages, online ofexams,
mobile chat
learning are;
room,
spontaneous, transferable size of mobile tools, combined, private, communicating, collaborative
discussion
and immediate board, online
information. quizzes
The core or project evaluation.
characteristics of mobile learning enables learners to learn at
any place and any time.
• Ubiquitous/ Spontaneous:
CHARACTERISTICS OF MOBILEMobile learning is more spontaneous than other types of
LEARNING:
learning. It is this spontaneity that is probably the most defining characteristic of mobile
learning. Mobile learning is context aware, meaning that students can learn everywhere.
MobileWireless
learningtechnologies
has differentsuch
characteristics. The chief palmtop
as laptop computers, characteristics of mobile
computers, learning
and mobile are;
phones
are revolutionizing
spontaneous, education
transferable size andtools,
of mobile transforming
combined, theprivate,
traditional classroom-based
communicating, learning
collaborative
and teaching into anytime and anywhere education.
and• immediate
Portableinformation. Thetools:
size of mobile core characteristics
Mobile learning of tools
mobilearelearning enables
small and learners
portable. to learn
Students can
at any use
placeit and
anywhere for their learning activities.
any time.
• Blended: Teachers can use mobile learning as a blended learning approach. Students can
use mobile tools for completing homework, projects, etc. Blended learning, which combines
classroom instruction with m-learning, can maximize the benefits of both face-to-face and
online method.
 Mobile Learning   101

• Private: M-learning is private. It means that only one learner at a time usually has access
to the mobile tool and that when students want to access information they connect and
download independently from other learners.
• Interactive: M-learning environment utilize the latest technologies to create an interactive
learning environment for learning. Students are not passive; the functions of mobile tools
and learning environment allow students varying levels of interactivity. The technological
layer represents learning as an engagement with technology, while tools such as computers
and mobile phones function as interactive agent during the process of learning.
• Collaborative: Mobile technologies support communication between students and teachers.
So, mobile technologies may be used for collaborative learning activities during learning.
• Instant information: Using a mobile tool is all about immediacy. According to Cohen (2010),
“the need is for quick answers to specific questions”. Learning content must reflect the
requirement by providing material that enables a learner to quickly zoom into information.

Advantages of Mobile Learning

Mobile technologies can be of great help in the teaching learning process. Since mobiles
are small, handy and user-friendly, those features can be utilized while designing mobile learning
environment. The following are the advantages of mobile learning:
• Mobile devices help learners to access learning content anywhere and anytime
• Learners can learn while they are commuting and travelling and time is saved
• Mobile can store huge amount of information despite its size. Thus, the printing of learning
materials can be reduced and pollution can be controlled.
• Mobile technology enables students to closely link with their peers, teachers, distant partners
and even interest groups worldwide. This increases interactivity.
• Helps to enhance skills at one’s own pace, with a degree of privacy that may be absent
when using shared computer facilities.
• Good support for favored modes of interaction.
• Catering for interests beyond what is provided in class, through accessing additional content
such as podcasts or free learning materials.
• Opportunities for learners to give immediate feedback on their learning performance.
• Psychological support for those at risk of dropping out, through social networks or personal
guidance from a mentor.
• Learning materials can become accessible to a larger audience, through podcasts, mobile
applications, blogs and e-books, etc.
• Catering for disadvantaged social groups for whom mobile learning presents an opportunity
to improve their learning.
• Turning geographically dispersed learners into a valuable teaching resource by enabling
them to contribute their local knowledge and research data more easily.
• Support learner retention, progression and transition.
• One can access lessons, video clips and audio libraries from anywhere, including public
places and moving buses and trains.
• Interaction with fellow students and instructors will be a great help. It is an accepted fact
that learning is made easier when information is shared and questions answered through
a sort of combined study.
102   Mr. G. Praveen Kumar and Dr. M. Vasimalairaja

Challenges of Mobile Learning

Even though mobile technologies have many advantages, owing to its technicality and other
factors, it poses many challenges to teaching and learning. Some of the challenges of mobile
learning are listed below:
• The storage capacities of mobile devices are limited.
• Mobile technologies keep on changing and difficult to maintain to those changing technologies.
• The buttons on the keypad or stylus pens are small and can be tricky for some people to
manipulate.
• There are attachable keyboards available for some devices, but these are also small.
• The display screen so mobile devices are small and creates strain for those using it.
• Mobile technologies also face network issues.
• Advanced mobile technologies are costlier.
• Anyone who has a mobile gadget knows that the short battery life and frequent changes
of batteries are a great nuisance.

MOBILE TECHNOLOGIES FOR M – LEARNING

Mobile technologies are very attractive and easy to handle and access information. They
are inexpensive, can be easily delivered and thus have great potential for reaching marginalized
groups and providing them with access to further learning and development. Mobile devices and
technologies that support mobile learning contain:
• E – Book
• Handheld game console, new gaming consoles
• individual audio player for hearing podcasts
• iPod
• Tablet Computer
• PDA in the classroom and outdoors
• Handheld audio and multimedia guides, in museums and galleries
• Mobile and Smart Phone

MOBILE APPS
Mobile applications cover software’s/set of platforms that urns on a mobile device. Mobile
application is an innovative and fast developing technology. Mobile applications are easy, user
friendly, sensible, downloadable and run mostly over every mobile phone including economical and
entry level phones. Some mobile applications are pre-installed while many has to be downloaded
and installed in the phone to use it for teaching -learning. Based on the functions mobile apps serve,
there are different categories of mobile applications as described below:
• Communication: Internet browsing, email IM client, Social Networking
• Games: Puzzle/ Strategy, Cards /Casino, Action/ Adventure
• Multimedia: Graphics /Image viewer, Presentations viewers, Video Players, Audio players
• Productivity: Calendars, Calculators, Diary, Notepad /Memo/Word Processors, Spreadsheets
• Travel: City guide, Currency converter, Translators, GPS/Maps, Itineraries / Schedules,
Weather
• Utilities: Profile manager, idle screen/Screen saver, Address book, Task manager, Call
manager, File manager.
 Mobile Learning   103

Mobile Apps for Teaching and Learning

There are different mobile applications that are useful for teaching and learning. These mobile
apps are either pre-installed or need to download to use. Also, there are free and paid mobile apps.
Some of the mobile apps and its uses are described below:
• Smart Dot: It’s an iDevice-based laser pointer that functions as a remote control for PowerPoint
and Keynote presentations.
• Educreations Interactive Whiteboard: This is an easy-to-use app for drawing and
diagramming in the classroom.
• Attendance: Attendance helps to keep track of attendance of students’ in the classroom.
• Grade Book for Professors: Is a good app for organizing and tracking student grades.
Both free and paid version are available.
• Percent Calculator: Get grades done smarter, better, faster, and stronger using this quick
and easy calculator just for figuring out percentages.
• eClicker Polling System: Available on the iPhone, the eClicker Suite lets teachers poll
their students about anything and everything during class.
• Voice Recorder: Perfect for Android users wanting to make permanent records of lectures
for students who can’t make it to class for whatever reason.
• iTalk Recorder: This app helps keep an audio record of the classroom discussions using
the iPhone!
• Blackboard Mobile Learn: Rather than an app for a classroom, Blackboard practically
provides a classroom for an app, available on almost all smartphone and tablet platforms.
• CourseSmart: Subscribers to this digital textbook service enjoy unlimited access to thousands
of digital reads on their phones and tablet devices.

Effects of Using Mobile Apps

Mobile apps serve many purposes in teaching -learning. There are plenty of apps serving
varied functions. Some of the effects of using mobile apps are given below:
• Quick communication: Some mobile applications like Facebook, Twitter, Messenger,
Skype, Google Talk helps people for communication. Unlike the traditional way of sending
messages via post office and takes time, information sharing through mobile apps are quick.
This makes communication fast.
• Save time and increase productivity: Since the information flow is fast, it saves time and
increases efficiency and productivity.
• Improve IT infrastructure: As the demand for various applications through mobile devices
increases, it helps in the development of IT infrastructure.
• Increases job vacancy: The development of mobile applications and mobile application
business creates more job vacancy.
• Less computer use and power consumption: When people use mobile application for
their daily work computer use will be less as well as the power consumption decreases.
• Social learning: There are specific mobile applications allowing communication by
creating special interest groups. This helps both for sharing information and social
learning.
• Contextual learning: Present-day’s mobile technology comes with a number of features that
can be utilized to promote the performance through contextual learning. Some companies
104   Mr. G. Praveen Kumar and Dr. M. Vasimalairaja

are already using the mobile systems to read Quick Response (QR) codes to improve private
communication. Learning through interactive games is increasingly gaining acceptance
as an effective training tool within the education and training community because of its
simplicity, and cost-effectiveness.
• Continuous learning process: User-friendly design should be the choice while designing
eLearning solutions in mobile devices. It should support learners for a smooth learning
practice. The inefficiency of a design to adjust based on screen resolutions can frustrate
users and make them exit the course. This is why most of the eLearning apps are
built with using responsive designs so that users get friction-less learning experience
no matter the nature of their devices. This helps to sustain children in the learning
process.
Mobile learning allows us to extend the scope of education beyond the physical confines of a
classroom. We can access quality content from home or office, communicate with a large community
of learners and teachers, and work online. The value of mobile learning is that it allows employees,
students, and common people to communicate, collaborate and develop new ideas using sound
digital resources. Even though, mobile apps have good number of advantageous, there are also
some bad effects and issues. Some of them are;
• The presence of different mobile applications keeps children wasting time. The young
generations are at risk when they are using internet games or other unwanted applications.
• The frequent use of mobiles creates health problems.

Limitations of Mobile Applications

One of the big challenges of mobile application is its platform capability. Beside the interesting
advantages they have some limitations too and are described below:
• Small screen size: In mobiles it is difficult to view text and graphics like in a desktop
computer screen.
• Navigation: Most mobile devices do not have mouse like pointer, so it has limited flexibility
in navigation.
• Acceptability of files: The mobile platform does not support all types of file format.
• Speed: The speed of processing and connectivity of mobiles is low.
• Size of messages or email: Many devices support limited number of characters in message
or email.
• Cost: The cost of cellphones, mobile applications and the internet bandwidth is high.

CONCLUSION
Technology is changing everyday and new devices are being developed at a faster rate. Even
this is true in the case of mobile phones. Even though the cost of advanced mobile phones are high,
cheaper ones are also available. Nevertheless, mobile devices can be used for teaching -learning
purposes. The use of mobile phones for teaching-learning purpose is creating a new culture and
learning style termed mobile learning. In mobile learning either mobile as device or mobile applications
are used for different purposes. In this chapter a detailed discussion about the concept of mobile
learning and related aspects have been discussed. The chapter ends with the deliberations about
the limitations of using mobile phones.
 Mobile Learning   105

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