Aga Palalas discusses some vital elements of the design principles for mobile learning. See the webinar at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frSOfBRAdP8&feature=player_detailpage

1. Design principles for m-learning
Dr. Agnieszka (Aga) Palalas
Prepared for M4D MOOC – October 2013
https://www.m4d-mooc.org/portal
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2. Design principles for m-learning
Outcome:
To determine basic design principles for mobile
learning and identify the key limitations to the
design and development of mobile instruction.
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3. Needs Assessment
Before you start the design…
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True need for m-learning?
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What educational problem?
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M-learning versus other educational solutions?
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Benefits of mobile learning in the unique
educational context?
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Resource requirements (physical/logistic, technological, human,
and monetary)?
Consider the potential enablers, challenges and risks.
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4. Needs Assessment
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Mobile technologies
Access to the Internet and power
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Device usage and mobility patterns and context
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Learning outcomes
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Learner needs and preferences
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Theoretical framework
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Existing materials incl. educational apps
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5. Key Characteristics of M-Learning
Design learning experience that is:
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Authentic
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Contextual (context-independent vs. embedded)
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Collaborative, connected
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Personalized
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Active
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Relevant and meaningful
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Formal and informal
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Flexible and focused
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Guided by experts
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Supported by experts and peers
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Engaging and empowering
……contingent on needs and context
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6. Aspects of Design
m-learning ≠ compact/ shrunk e-learning
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Content (incl. learner-generated artifacts)
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Delivery (incl. the physical and temporal setting)
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Interaction, sharing, and communication
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Learning and teaching activities
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7. Content Design
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Multimedia
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Bite-sized yet connected
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Access to existing content and resources
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Required and optional
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Personalized and student-generated
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Reminders, notifications, updates
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Educational apps
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Social media
…contingent on needs and context
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8. Delivery Design
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Physical aspect (location)
–
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personal <> social space
–
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context-dependent <> independent (flexible <> location-bound)
quite <> loud and busy
Temporal
–
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flexible <> focused
–
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brief event <> series of episodes <> long activity <> course-long (continuous)
spaced-out
Technology
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offline vs. online
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resources web-based or residing locally
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phones vs. tablets
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cross-platform
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social network usage
…contingent on needs and context
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9. Interaction Design
Individual <> collaborative
Formal <> informal
F2F <> via mobile devices <> blended
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Communication
–
–
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channel and medium, e.g., text-based chat <> phlog
synchronous <> asynchronous e.g., phone call <> email
Sharing and exchange
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artifacts
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questions
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resources
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peer evaluation
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peer support
…contingent on needs and context
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10. Activities Design
According to the type of learning (behaviourist, constructivist,
situated…)
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More suitable for mobile:
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blend focused and spontaneous tasks and activities
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data collection and sharing
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personal reflection
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accessing resources (just-in-time, on-demand information)
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connecting with the community of practice
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accessing experts and supports
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assessments
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augmented reality tasks and games…
…contingent on needs and context
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11. Activities Design
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Start with the learner
Educational problem >> outcomes
Technologies and unique context
Make the learning experience:
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–
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Engaging and empowering
Authentic and active
Situated and context-aware (whenever possible)
Be prepared for change…
…contingent on needs and context
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12. Thank you!
Dr. Agnieszka Palalas
aga@epluslearning.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/apalalas
Presentations: http://www.slideshare.net/agaiza
Publications: http://athabascau.academia.edu/apalalas
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