This document outlines the key differences between e-learning and m-learning, emphasizing that they vary in screen size, GUI design, access methods, scrolling capabilities, and content delivery. While e-learning provides detailed courses on larger screens, m-learning focuses on just-in-time learning tailored for mobile devices. Additionally, it offers guidelines for e-learning designers on effectively converting existing courses into m-learning formats.

1. Key Differences
E-learning vs. M-learning

2. Introduction
Many organizations are converting existing e-learning courses into m-learning by
making the interface responsive and by publishing them in the HTML file. The
reason behind this is to provide the most meaningful learning experience through
the use of mobile devices. In fact, most of them consider e-learning and m-learning
are the same. But in reality, e-learning is completely different from m-learning in
various aspects such as variable screen size, GUI, access, scrolling, interface, and
compatibility
Many organizations are converting existing e-learning courses into m-
learning by:
 Making the interface responsive
 Publishing them in the HTML file

3. Introduction
Many organizations are converting existing e-learning courses into m-learning by
making the interface responsive and by publishing them in the HTML file. The
reason behind this is to provide the most meaningful learning experience through
the use of mobile devices. In fact, most of them consider e-learning and m-learning
are the same. But in reality, e-learning is completely different from m-learning in
various aspects such as variable screen size, GUI, access, scrolling, interface, and
compatibility
In reality, e-learning is completely different from m-learning in various
aspects:
 Variable screen size
 GUI
 Access
 Scrolling
 Interface
 Compatibility

4. What are the key points that e-learning designers need to follow while
converting existing e-learning courses into m-learning?

5. Learning Objectives
Each learning objective of an e-learning module can become an
independent m-learning module.
E-learning provides learning in detail and their courses are delivered on
desktops or laptops, whereas m-learning provides just-in-time (JIT) learning
and their courses are delivered on mobile devices.

6. Example
An e-learning module of 20 minutes duration can be divided into 4 separate
modules of 5 minutes each.

7. GUI
In e-learning, GUI is designed by using many elements such as menus,
icons, controls, and so on. These elements allow learners to navigate freely
throughout the e-learning course without any confusion.
However, in m-learning, GUI is designed with only a few elements such as
home, exit, previous, and next buttons, because of the small screen size.

8. Example
Facebook and other social media sites do not make the interface responsive but
have separate interface for mobile and desktop.

9. Scrolling
In e-learning, scrolling can be done horizontally and vertically depending on
the length of the text.
Whereas in m-learning, scrolling can be done vertically.
It is recommended to avoid excessive scrolling in m-learning because it is
very difficult to handle this function on smaller screens.

10. Example

11. Interactivities
In m-learning, interactivities should be simple and effective. It is
recommended to use simple click-on tabs and avoid drag and drops.
But in e-learning, any kind of interactivities can be used based on the type of
the content and the learning demands.

12. Example

13. Interactivities
Modules of m-learning can be accessed with touch, pinch, swipe, and zoom
features. It is recommended to keep these features in mind before designing
buttons or touch points.
According to Wikipedia, the average width of the adult thumb is 25 mm
(1 inch), which equates to 72 pixels.

14. To know more about, Mobile Learning,
Checkout our free eBook on ”Mobile
Learning 101”
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