Technology has disrupted various industries, and the education sector is no exception. Smartphones have taken over the world, and has now become the most preferred device to access the internet. As such, mobile learning has discovered new dimensions of learning and avenues for personal growth. Today, working adults across the world ultilise mobile devices for further learning opportunities.
What Is Mobile Learning?
Also known as mLearning, mobile learning can be thought of as a mode of accessing learning content via mobile devices. Emerging technologies and tools have paved the road for a new form of learning that is made more effective due to its speed and ubiquity of digital capabilities.
While most people are familiar with the advantages of eLearning, little is understood of the potential of mobile learning to entirely transform eLearning into a more personalised and accelerated learning experience. Mobile learning is capable of offering users the option of choosing how and when to study, which is especially vital for adults in the working society, where time is at a premium.
This inclination towards mobile learning was ultimately brought about by a shift in how human beings live. This includes a shift in learner profiles, patterns, device use, and the fact that legacy courses are shifting to the mobile platform. The advent of mobile learning is also reliant on mobile apps, social and contextual learning, and an improved mobile learning experience. With that said, what are the advantages of mobile learning in the digital learning age?
It is highly Flexible
Unlike the early days of the digital learning age where computers and laptops were all the rage, people today have more flexibility thanks to mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets as well as wearable devices such as smartwatches. People can now integrate learning into their daily schedule, working adults for example, are able to efficiently use their time spent to study on-the-go, without following a class schedule.
Furthermore, various course creators have started incorporating flexible learning modules ranging from videos to podcasts, along with other variation of multimedia assets that are accessible on mobile devices.
It Has Better Completion and Retention Rates
One of the biggest hurdles of eLearning is that there were low completion rates evidently translates to low retention of skills taught. However, since the information delivered through mobile devices is concise and structured into bite-sized chunks of information, coupled with inherent flexibility of mobile devices, course creators are now seeing higher completion rates.
Reports have shown that the learners are increasingly moving on to initiate the next course and judging by their performance; learners have better retention rates than older forms of digital learning techniques. Consequentially, this gives learners a seamless mobile experience.
It Makes Collaborative Learning Possible
Mobile learning has become popular thanks to robust online communities that help learners to understand course concepts better. For example, people learning web programming using a specific course, can form an online community where they help each other along the way.
Higher Engagement
Several studies show that when courses are delivered on a mobile platform, it sees a higher level of engagement compared to other forms of digital learning. Since the mobile platform offers better course personalisation, mobile learning increases motivation and a sense of enjoyment for the learners.
On top of this, the fact that the courses are available on the go at any time, allows learners to stay on track with their training, and as a result, sees higher engagement and fewer dropouts.
Multi-Device Support
This is perhaps one of the most significant advantages of mobile learning in the digital learning age. In today’s digital age, it is near impossible to find a course that is purposely restricted to a specific device, majority of the courses are available on PCs, laptops, smartphones, and tablets.
Performance Support
Modern learners love learning methods that do not disrupt their daily routines. Mobile learning hence, has helped cultivate a habit that offers learners a higher quality of effcicency. On top of this, it facilitates easy accessibility to up-to date information from anywhere in the world at any given time.
Learning Path
What makes this learning path better than other forms of digital learning is that mobile learning platforms are integrated with organisers as well as reminders. Within context of the working society, working adults that ultilise mobile learning, are prompted by reminders and updates on their courses, so as to keep on track of their progress.
This is a notable feature, since working adults normally do not have the luxury of time, and have to often halt their learning progress haphazardly, hence with aid from learning path, they are able to pick up where they left off without relearning entire content.
It Reaches New Generations
Gone are the days where the new employees have to undergo outdated courses in order to develop skills which are often outdated themselves. With mobile learning, the new generation of working adults are able to explore new avenues in the corporate space, allowing them to handle modern problems with modern solutions and skills.
Conclusion
Mobile learning is a great way to improve skills without the pressure of sitting in a classroom or worrying about missing a webinar. With the shift in eLearning techniques, more legacy courses are shifting to the mobile platform, and with that the future of learning is likely becoming a mobile one.