The document discusses the increasing prevalence of mobile technology in the UK, particularly in the context of adult education and distance learning through the Open University. It highlights the need to consider the location of learning activities and proposes the use of mobile learning opportunities to enhance educational experiences. Additionally, it explores various modes of interaction and technological infrastructure to support location-based learning.

1. Looking to the future Pictures by: astio , ckaroli , kiki follettosa , Josh Liba , Feuillu OU Mobile Learning Winter Festival 18th – 19th January 2011 Andrew Brasher IET, The Open University

2. Current UK context Proportion of adults who live in a home that has a mobile phone but no landline phone in the UK : 14% (Q1 2010) ( Ofcom (2010) ) Number of 3G mobile subscriptions in the UK: 32% (end 2009) ( ibid ) 26% of mobile users now have a smartphone ( Communications market report 2010 , Ofcom) 3G network connections by network, Ofcom 2010

3. For OU courses For most activities in most OU courses the learner is assumed to be studying at a location chosen by the student 1 This is fine, but……… 1: Exceptions include some practice based courses, residential schools and other short, focused learning experiences, army, air force & navy personnel, prisoners

4. What about ‘where’? Design of most OU learning activities focuses on what is to de done, with whom, and when … but not where.

5. Facilitate and exploit How can we exploit location based learning opportunities for the benefit of learners? observation, other data collection & analysis, other skills? E.g. Neighbourhood Nature (S159) How to facilitate learning anywhere? e.g. Mobile Oxford , eTexts, and more Have a go with one of these mobile experiences to try things that students could do with their mobile devices

6. Areas for exploration …and more Learning contexts and learner interaction Formal Informal Interaction modalities Speech input and output Touch Position Orientation Technological infrastructure Sensor networks Sense-making Video sensors Location sensors Audio sensors