This presentation was delivered at the ASTD Twin Cities Regional Conference. It discussed different design and development considerations for mLearning.

1. Strategies for Mobile
eLearning
Dustin Tauer :: Easel Solution
@dtauer :: @easelsolutions ::
@astdtcc

2. Dustin Tauer
Developer (11 years)
Instructor (7 years)
Web :: Mobile ::
eLearning
@dtauer :: @easelsolutions ::
@astdtcc

3. Easel Solutions
 Training
• Design, Web, Mobile,
eLearning, Strategy,
Social, etc.
 Customized Training
 Consulting
 Adobe Connect
@dtauer :: @easelsolutions ::
@astdtcc

4. Slides :: Files ::
Resources
http://blog.easelsolutions.com
@dtauer :: @easelsolutions ::
@astdtcc

5. mLearning
eLearning gone mobile
@dtauer :: @easelsolutions ::
@astdtcc

6. The Problem
Users want eLearning on a mobile
device
@dtauer :: @easelsolutions ::
@astdtcc

7. The Real Problem
Users want eLearning on a mobile device
that
does not support Flash
@dtauer :: @easelsolutions ::
@astdtcc

8. Solution One
Publish content targeting a specific
device or platform
@dtauer :: @easelsolutions ::
@astdtcc

9. Solution Two
Publish content that works everywhere (no
Flash)
@dtauer :: @easelsolutions ::
@astdtcc

10. Let’s talk about Flash
@dtauer :: @easelsolutions ::
@astdtcc

11. 11/09/2011: Adobe said,
“We will no longer continue to develop
Flash Player in the browser to work
with new mobile devices”
@dtauer :: @easelsolutions ::
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12. What it means
Adobe is no longer developing new
versions of the Flash Player for
mobile web browsers
@dtauer :: @easelsolutions ::
@astdtcc

13. What the media heard
Adobe is giving up on mobile devices
and the Flash Player is dead. Anyone
still using Flash is stupid.
@dtauer :: @easelsolutions ::
@astdtcc

14. Conclusion?
Adobe stopped developing plugins for a
medium nobody is using.
@dtauer :: @easelsolutions ::
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15. Conclusion?
Nothing is changing
@dtauer :: @easelsolutions ::
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16. Flash and eLearning
eLearning is heavily reliant on Flash.
@dtauer :: @easelsolutions ::
@astdtcc

17. Flash and mLearning
Do we have to learn new tools?
No!
Abandon our existing courses?
No!
@dtauer :: @easelsolutions ::
@astdtcc

18. mLearning
Create content that fits the user.
Don’t ask the users to fit the content.
@dtauer :: @easelsolutions ::
@astdtcc

19. HTML5
The elephant in the room
@dtauer :: @easelsolutions ::
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20. “Just build it in HTML5”
( Sigh )
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21. HTML5 does not equal Mobile
HTML5 is a set of features added to HTML
that give websites additional/consistent
functionality.
HTML5 = HTML + CSS + JavaScript
@dtauer :: @easelsolutions ::
@astdtcc

22. HTML5 does not equal Mobile
Mobile browser evolve faster than
desktop browser and support more HTML5
features. It’s still a work in progress.
@dtauer :: @easelsolutions ::
@astdtcc

23. Mobile is hard
So is devising an mLearning strategy.
That’s why you are here.
@dtauer :: @easelsolutions ::
@astdtcc

24. Do you need mLearning?
Ask yourself a few easy questions.
@dtauer :: @easelsolutions ::
@astdtcc

25. Who’s getting mobile
devices?
DON’T NEED MOBILE
NEED MOBILE LEARNING LEARNING
 General Workforce  IT
• Sales  Application Developers
• Marketing
• Customer Service
• Doctors
• Engineers
 Senior Executives
 Anyone
@dtauer :: @easelsolutions ::
@astdtcc

26. How do they use their
devices?
DON’T NEED MOBILE
NEED MOBILE LEARNING LEARNING
 Showing Product Demos  Email
• Videos  Virtual
• Presentations Training/Conferencing
 Consumption • Adobe Connect
• Job Aids
• Process Training
• Product/Sales Guides
@dtauer :: @easelsolutions ::
@astdtcc

27. Designing mLearning
Graphical, not instructional
@dtauer :: @easelsolutions ::
@astdtcc

28. Design Considerations for
Mobile UI
 Design for immediate access
 Fingers, not mice
• No roll-overs
• Careful with “try-me” courses
 Touch feedback is key
• Down-states
 Keep gestures smart and simple
• Or just stick to the tap (click)
 Design for real hand sizes
@dtauer :: @easelsolutions ::
@astdtcc

29. Screens Sizes
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30. Fingers
44px
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31. There’s a hand behind every good
finger
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32. Tablets
Same as laptops as long as you
recognize the design considerations
of touch-input
@dtauer :: @easelsolutions ::
@astdtcc

33. Developing mLearning
Choose your own adventure
Web :: Mobile App :: Hybrid
@dtauer :: @easelsolutions ::
@astdtcc

34. Web
 Deployed on a website or in an LMS
• Just like you are doing today
 Published HTML/CSS/JavaScript
• “HTML5” Publishing
• No Flash allowed
 Offline is possible (With Code)
• Google: HTML5 Offline Application
 Tools
• Adobe Captivate
• Articulate Storyline
@dtauer :: @easelsolutions ::
@astdtcc

35. Web
PROS CONS
 One course for all  One course for all
• www.site.com/course1 • One size doesn’t always fit
 Same workflow all
 LMS tracking is easy  Requires and internet
 Easy to update connection
• Just replace the content • Can you hear me now?
 Pause/Resume across  Many LMS interface are not
devices mobile friendly
 Inconsistent playback
@dtauer :: @easelsolutions ::
@astdtcc

36. Demo
Web-based Course
@dtauer :: @easelsolutions ::
@astdtcc

37. Mobile Application
 Offline
• Downloaded and installed on device
 Tools
• PhoneGap: Packages HTML/CSS/JavaScript as
native mobile applications
 http://build.phonegap.com/
@dtauer :: @easelsolutions ::
@astdtcc

38. Mobile Application
PROS CONS
 Offline  Need to publish for each
• No Internet needed device
 Better performance  LMS integration can be
 Sell course in an app store tricky
 Tailor content to fit the  More steps in the process
device  $$$
 Performance  iOS distribution
• Certificate required*
@dtauer :: @easelsolutions ::
@astdtcc

39. Understanding iOS
Certificates
DEVELOPER CERTIFICATE ENTERPRISE CERTIFICATE
 $99/year  $299/year
 Allows developer or  Intended for companies who
company to publish apps to create proprietary, in-house
App Store iOS apps for internal
• ONLY to App Store deployment within the
 Application listed under company only.
certificate-holder’s name  Dun & Bradstreet (D-U-N-S)
 If application is being sold, number is required
Apple gets 30%
Need certificate before you
start!
@dtauer :: @easelsolutions ::
@astdtcc

40. Demo
Mobile App
@dtauer :: @easelsolutions ::
@astdtcc

41. Hybrid Application
 Download a “shell” or “viewer” application
to play the output from an eLearning
development tool
• Typically free and not branded
 Tools
• Articulate Storyline
 Articulate Mobile Player
• Adobe Presenter (plugin for PowerPoint)
 Adobe Presenter Mobile
@dtauer :: @easelsolutions ::
@astdtcc

42. Hybrid Application
PROS CONS
 Online & Offline (most of the  Proprietary
time) • Tool-specifc
• Sync with LMS  Device Dependent
 Consistent Playback • i.e. iPad only
 Bonus Features
• Libraries of content
• Intuitive UI Controls
@dtauer :: @easelsolutions ::
@astdtcc

43. Demo
Hybrid App
@dtauer :: @easelsolutions ::
@astdtcc

44. Thanks!
 http://blog.easelsolutions.com
• Slides, Session Files, Resources
 Easel Solutions Booth
• Stop by and chat
@dtauer :: @easelsolutions ::
@astdtcc