The document discusses considerations for creating effective mobile learning interactions. It notes demands from learners for short, memorable, high-quality content that works across devices and involves interaction beyond just buttons. Examples of mobile interactions like games, exercises and videos are provided. Challenges of developing for different mobile devices, operating systems and technologies are covered. The document also compares native apps to web apps and debates the issues around Flash versus HTML5. Tips provided include keeping interactions short, separating content from presentation, using videos and animation, and testing across devices.

1. 8/24/2011
LEARNING INTERACTIONS ON MOBILE
WHAT WORKS? AND WHEN?
Janhavi Padture
Harbinger Knowledge Products
janhavi@harbingergroup.com
Demands on mobile Learning
“I want it to be SHORT, BUT MEMORABLE”
“I want HIGH END, FUN STUFF in mLearning”
“I want it to work on DESKTOP AND MOBILE”
“I would like to SHARE MY OPINIONS”
“I need it to work ACROSS VARIOUS DEVICES
“I want INTERACTION, NOT JUST BUTTON CLICKS”
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Why Interactivity in mLearning?
Tell me and I will forget,
Enhances understanding Show me and I may remember,
Involve me and I will understand.”
Improves retention
Creates engagement/hold learner’s attention – greater
challenge in mLearning
Reduces boredom and tune-out
Interactivity will remain a constant and crucial component for
effective learning!
Mobile Learning Interactions
Speaking of mLearning interactions…
YawnBuster Connect link: http://bit.ly/jgm4mz
Session ID: B419-9EB3
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What are mobile interactions?
Used to augment learning on mobile devices
Engaging way to present, interact and assess
Ability to track progress
Examples: interactive diagrams, exercises, games,
simulations, videos etc.
Games
Interactive
exercises
Videos
Simulations
Mobile Learning Interactions
Like it or not, mLearning interactivity is here
http://www.youtube.com/v/TRBGnCzp5NY
http://www.youtube.com/v/v5GKnfuKFZ4
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Challenges facing mobile interaction development
External Challenges:
• Devices
• Screen sizes
• Operating Systems (OS)
• Browsers
• Technologies - Objective C, HTML, Flash,
Java
• Connectivity/bandwidth
• Media formats supported
Mobile Learning Interactions
What does this all mean?
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5. 8/24/2011
Tablet Device Differences
Feature Apple iPad Motorola HP Blacberry Dell Streak Samsung HP Slate
2.0 Xoom TouchPad Playbook 7 Galaxy Tab 500
Screen 9.7" 10.1 9.7" 7" 7" 7 - 10.1" 8.9"
Processor 1 Ghz 1 GHz 1.2 GHz 1 GHz 1GHz 1GHz 1.86 GHz
Storage Upto 64 GB 32 GB Upto 64 GB Upto 64 GB Up to 32GB Up to 32 64 GB
GB
Battery Life 10 hours 10 hours 8+ hours 7 hours 4 hours 10 hours 5+ hours
Build-in
Hardware
Keyboard
Multitasking Yes Yes Yes
Adobe Flash No Yes Yes Yes 10.1 Yes 10.1 Yes 10.1 Yes
Built-in Camera Yes 720p Yes 5 MP Yes 1.3 MP Yes 5 MP Yes 5MP Yes 3 MP Yes 3MP
OS iOS4 Android 3.0 HP WebOS Blackberry Android 2.2 Android 3.1 Win Phone
Tablet OS (Froyo) 7
Resolution 1024x768 1280x800 1024x768 1024x600 800x480 1280x800 1024X600
Browsers Safari Webkit HP Webkit Webkit Webkit Internet
based Touchpad based based based Explorer
browser based
Mobile Learning Interactions
SmartPhone Device Differences
Samsung Motorola Blackberry Blackberry
Galaxy S Pro iPhone4 Droid X Droid Nexus One Nokia N900 Bold 9700 Storm 2 9550
Processor 1GHz 1 GHz 1GHz 600MHz 1 GHz 600MHz 624 MHz 528 MHz
Memory 512MB 512MB 512MB 256 MB 512MB 256 MB 256 MB 256 MB
Upto
Storage Upto 32GB Upto 32GB 32GB Upto 32GB Upto 32GB Upto 32GB Upto 32GB Upto 32GB
Screen Size 4" 3.5" 4.3" 3.7" 3.7" 3.5" 2.44" 3.25"
Resolution 800x480 960x640 854X480 854X480 800x480 800x480 480x360 480x360
Camera 5 MP 5 MP 8 MP 5 MP 5 MP 5 MP 3.2 MP 3.2 MP
Android
OS Android 2.3 iOS 2.2 Android 2.2 Android 2.1 Maemo 5 Blackberry Blackberry
3G Yes Yes Yes
Flash Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes
Android Android Android
Browser Webkit Safari Webkit Webkit Webkit Webkit
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Evolving market place
• Mobile OS space is fragmented
Market Share of Mobile OS
Market Share (%) fromFeb - Apr 2011
37
27
22
9
3 2
Android Apple RIM Blackberry Windows Palm Symbian
• Internet Connection speed dependent on location
and Carrier’s network . (Only Sprint and Verizon have
4G networks with 4G coverage in limited areas)
• Technology Debate
• Native vs. Web apps
• Flash vs. HTML5
Mobile Learning Interactions
What is the Business Case?
• Do you want cross platform delivery?
• Do you need to create once, deploy anywhere?
• Will you know the mobile devices your learners
carry?
• Is Bandwidth/connectivity predictable?
• Is there lot of media to be delivered?
• Will it be resource intensive?
• Do you need sophisticated visual effects?
• Is it important to create content without relying
on proprietary software or native apps?
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Native vs. Web Apps
Native Web
Development environment Platform dependent. Platform independent
Internet Connectivity Not required Required
Deployment has to be installed/ n/a (updates propogate
downloaded immediately)
Speed Fast Slower
Rich media compatibility Fewer issues Limited by Audio/video
support inconsistencies
within browsers
Content searchable on web No Yes
Animation development More sophisticated, by Good, but less flexibility
accessing core
animation framework
using native code
Cross platform compatibility Must be developed for can be achieved
each platform relatively easily using
separately
Mobile Learning Interactions
Native or Web App?
Cross platform
compatibility? Web
Performance &
speed is Native
critical?
Native
vs.
Internet
Web Connectivity Web
predictable?
Resource
intensive/high
Native
bandwidth
utilization?
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HOT TOPIC: Flash vs. HTML5
OR
Mobile Learning Interactions
Why the hype?
iPads/iPhones of course!
But… besides that:
• Fairly easy – just an extension of HTML & JS
• No special software or plug-ins needed
• Better interactivity and layout control than HTML
• Could give Flash the run for the money
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9. 8/24/2011
Flash may not be going anywhere anytime
soon…
But before dismissing Flash here are some statistics:
– 1.2 billion mobile phones are Flash capable
– Android sales surpassed iOS for first time in 2011
– 20+ tablets coming in 2011, many support Flash
– 98% percent of Internet-enabled desktops use it
– 85% of top 100 websites use Flash
Mobile Learning Interactions
HTML5 or Flash
Faster/ Better HTML5 or Flash
Performance? (Results vary)
HTML5
Cheaper?
(Its Free!)
Flash
vs.
HTML5 Better visual Flash
effects? (as of today)
Compatibility on
HTML5
iPad/iPhone?
Compatibility
? Compatible with
Flash
old browsers?
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Technologies
Custom Development 3rd Party Rapid
Development Tools
Web Apps Flash, HTML, HTML5 Raptivity
Hot Lava
mLearning Studio
Articulate Storyline
Lectora X4
(Sencha Touch - framework)
Native Java, Objective C (PhoneGap - framework)
Mobile Learning Interactions
Characteristics of mLearning interactions
Ideal characteristics:
Modular
Interactive
Non-linear
Selectively render content
Balance of text & media
SCORM trackable
SWF or HTML5!
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11. 8/24/2011
Few Tips for creating mLearning interactions
• Keep them short - Edumercials
• Separate Content from Presentation
• Videos & Animation are effective mLearning
interactions
• Use caching and local storage for SCORM
• Viewport meta tag
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0"/>
• Use rapid development tools like Raptivity for
quick turnaround
• Use tools like PhoneGap to convert to app
• Test…Test…Test!!!
Mobile Learning Interactions
Edumercial
A leading insurance
company uses the
concept of
commercial
Advertisements to
train sales staff
- Short duration
- Lively
- Entertaining
- Non-linear
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12. 8/24/2011
Video interactivity
Short customer
service training
modules delivered
successfully via
cross platform
video to franchise
employees
Mobile Learning Interactions
Raptivity: Flash/HTML5 Interactivity side-
by-side
Flash interactivity samples: HTML5 interactivity samples:
http://www.raptivity.com/elearning-product http://www.raptivity.com/touch-raptivity.html
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13. 8/24/2011
Thank You!
Contact information:
Janhavi Padture
janhavi@harbingergroup.com
510-378-8409
For more information about our products:
Raptivity: www.raptivity.com
YawnBuster: www.yawnbuster.com
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