The document discusses mobile micro-learning, which involves breaking lessons into short segments that can be accessed on mobile devices outside the classroom. It describes signals from the present showing how mobile learning is being used, such as floating schools in Bangladesh and illiterate children teaching themselves to read using tablets. The document also summarizes ideas generated in a game about using mobile phones and internet cafés to expand access to education.

1. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
© 2013 Institute for the Future. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
March 2013
Foresight Engine Game Analysis:
25 Zones of
Future Innovation
© 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
A project by Institute for the Future and The Rockefeller Foundation
www.iftf.org/our-work/global-landscape/catalysts-for-change/catalysts-zones-of-innovation
Contact: Tessa Finlev, tfinlev@iftf.org

2. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
24 | Mobile Micro-Learning
2

3. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
A host of drivers are leading to a decline of
the brick-and-mortar classroom model.
Dramatic effects of climate change regularly
displacing students and classrooms,
increasing mobile connectivity, and open
source e-learning platforms are just a few of
the challenges to traditional classroom
construction. These shifts, along with a wider
acknowledgement of the value of anytime,
anywhere learning, will lead innovators around
the globe to explore the world of mobile micro-
learning. This will mean breaking lessons into
bite-sized learning bits and prompts to fulfill
personal curiosity, course requirements, and
certification programs—all from outside a
physical classroom.
3
24 | Mobile Micro-Learning | Future Innovation
© 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B

4. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
Education, or lack of access to education, was seen as a major barrier to
finding pathways out of poverty during the Catalysts for Change game.
Many players spent a large portion of the game discussing innovative ideas to
create low-cost access to appropriate education. One player suggested a financial
solution based on micro-scholarships while others thought of education models
that went beyond the classroom to meet the needs of children within their
individual circumstances. Many of the ideas coalesced around mobile micro-
learning tools and curricula, replete with examples of organizations around the
world already working in this space.
4
24 | Mobile Micro-Learning | From the Players
© 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B

5. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 5
24 | Mobile Micro-Learning | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Train internet café operators to
be content curators as well.
Online content is highly
untapped. Link café ops to
university interns too*
Philippines**
*Cards have been lightly edited for readability.
**Player location was self selected.

6. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 6
24 | Mobile Micro-Learning | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Develop an SMS/mobile
phone based literacy program
to allow rapid transmission of
developmental texts.
USA
Train internet café operators
to be content curators as well.
Online content is highly
untapped. Link café ops to
university interns too
Philippines

7. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 7
24 | Mobile Micro-Learning | Micro-forecasts from the Game
I like this idea! micro-coding
courses on mobile...
South Africa
Train internet café operators
to be content curators as well.
Online content is highly
untapped. Link café ops to
university interns too
Philippines
Develop an SMS/mobile
phone based literacy program
to allow rapid transmission of
developmental texts.
USA

8. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 8
24 | Mobile Micro-Learning | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Mobile Cresh India is an ex. of
school that follows children
from one construction site to
another providing education
USA
Train internet café operators
to be content curators as well.
Online content is highly
untapped. Link café ops to
university interns too
Philippines
Develop an SMS/mobile
phone based literacy program
to allow rapid transmission of
developmental texts.
USA
I like this idea! micro-coding
courses on mobile...
South Africa

9. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 9
24 | Mobile Micro-Learning | Micro-forecasts from the Game
www.sadiesworld.ORG show a
model and tool we are testing
for a personal learning device -
designed for girls in conflict
zones
Taiwan
Train internet café operators
to be content curators as well.
Online content is highly
untapped. Link café ops to
university interns too
Philippines
Develop an SMS/mobile
phone based literacy program
to allow rapid transmission of
developmental texts.
USA
I like this idea! micro-coding
courses on mobile...
South Africa
Mobile Cresh India is an ex. of
school that follows children
from one construction site to
another providing education
USA

10. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 10
24 | Mobile Micro-Learning | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Have you seen hole in the
wall? An internet connected
computer placed in an Indian
Slum with no intro, kids taught
themselves...give access
USA
Train internet café operators
to be content curators as well.
Online content is highly
untapped. Link café ops to
university interns too
Philippines
Develop an SMS/mobile
phone based literacy program
to allow rapid transmission of
developmental texts.
USA
I like this idea! micro-coding
courses on mobile...
South Africa
Mobile Cresh India is an ex. of
school that follows children
from one construction site to
another providing education
USA
www.sadiesworld.ORG show
a model and tool we are
testing for a personal learning
device - designed for girls in
conflict zones
Taiwan

11. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 11
24 | Mobile Micro-Learning | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Microscholarships. What if a
village pooled resources to
fund 1 student a year who
would pay them back once
employed? Then 2 a
year.Then 3..
Canada
Train internet café operators
to be content curators as well.
Online content is highly
untapped. Link café ops to
university interns too
Philippines
Develop an SMS/mobile
phone based literacy program
to allow rapid transmission of
developmental texts.
USA
I like this idea! micro-coding
courses on mobile...
South Africa
Mobile Cresh India is an ex. of
school that follows children
from one construction site to
another providing education
USA
www.sadiesworld.ORG show
a model and tool we are
testing for a personal learning
device - designed for girls in
conflict zones
Taiwan
Have you seen hole in the
wall? An internet connected
computer placed in an Indian
Slum with no intro, kids taught
themselves...give access
USA

12. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 12
24 | Mobile Micro-Learning | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Train internet café operators
to be content curators as well.
Online content is highly
untapped. Link café ops to
university interns too
Philippines
Develop an SMS/mobile
phone based literacy program
to allow rapid transmission of
developmental texts.
USA
I like this idea! micro-coding
courses on mobile...
South Africa
Mobile Cresh India is an ex. of
school that follows children
from one construction site to
another providing education
USA
www.sadiesworld.ORG show
a model and tool we are
testing for a personal learning
device - designed for girls in
conflict zones
Taiwan
Have you seen hole in the
wall? An internet connected
computer placed in an Indian
Slum with no intro, kids taught
themselves...give access
USA
Microscholarships. What if a
village pooled resources to
fund 1 student a year who
would pay them back once
employed? Then 2 a
year.Then 3..
Canada

13. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
Signals from the Present
13
24 | Mobile Micro-Learning

14. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 14
Equipped with solar power, the floating schools
built by non-profit, Shidulai Swanirvar Sanstha,
provide continues education to Bangladeshi
children come monsoon or shine.
Khan Academy Apps
The Khan Academy, which offers thousands of free video micro-courses, provides apps
for iOS and Windows 8 devices. These courses are so popular, however, that other
developers—such as KhanApp and Irynsoft—have created their own versions, making
the videos even more accessible.
24 | Mobile Micro-Learning | Signals from the Present
Floating Schools
Image Source: www.khanapp.com
Image Source: www.shidhulai.org/ourwork

15. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 15
OLPC recently dropped a box of tablets in a village in
Ethiopia without any instructions to see how much
illiterate children could learn. Before long the children had
not only learned the English alphabet, but had hacked the
tablets for increased functionality.
24 | Mobile Micro-Learning | Signals from the Present
Using a Tablet,
Illiterate Children
Teach Themselves
How to Read
Image Source: www.technologyreview.com/view/429206/emtech-preview-another-way-to-think-about-learning/

16. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
© 2013 Institute for the Future. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
March 2013
Foresight Engine Game Analysis:
25 Zones of
Future Innovation
© 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
A project by Institute for the Future and The Rockefeller Foundation
www.iftf.org/our-work/global-landscape/catalysts-for-change/catalysts-zones-of-innovation
Contact: Tessa Finlev, tfinlev@iftf.org