M learning

IVÁN CEPERO BARMÓN
Universidad de Granada
MOBILE LEARNING
In School and Adult Education

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Index
1. Introduction................................................................................................ 3
2. Definition .................................................................................................... 4
2.1. E-Learning ........................................................................................... 4
2.2. M-Learning........................................................................................... 4
3. Advantages and disadvantages of M-Learning....................................... 6
3.1. Advantages.......................................................................................... 6
3.2. Disadvantages..................................................................................... 7
4. The use of M-learning in school and in the adult education.................. 8
4.1. ML in adult education ......................................................................... 8
4.2. ML in schools. ................................................................................... 10
5. Conclusion ............................................................................................... 11
6. Webgraphy ............................................................................................... 11

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1. Introduction
For several years, we have seen how technological advances have
introduced different devices that handle digital information and at the same
time, facilitate the user mobility. With the evolution of wireless networks, it is
easy to understand how the phones have gained importance in education.
More and more schools are moving toward mobile learning in the
classroom as a way to take advantage of a new wave of electronic devices
that offer portability and ease of use on a budget. Netbooks, iPads, cell
phones, iPods, e-readers and even PDAs are increasingly becoming the
tools of choice for today's educators, and it is easy to see why.
In this work we will study how apply the Mobile Learning in two areas, in the
schools and in the adult education.

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2. Definition
2.1. E-Learning
To explain the concept of M-Learning, it is necessary to talk about the
concept of E-Learning.
The E-Learning is a teaching and learning method based on Internet.
The name is an abbreviation of the term "Electronic Learning". With this method
we can speak about a distance education without the need for face meetings or
having to go to class. This is possible thanks to the facilities that the Internet
gives us.
The E-Learning offers advantages such as:
The student doesn’t have to go to class; he can take the course from
home.
Internet gives us many methods and resources which facilitate learning.
The student is the focus of the learning process, and participates in the
construction of knowledge.
Now the teacher is not only a transmitter of knowledge, is a guide that
should help students in their learning process.
Immediate update featuring Internet allows the student always has an
updated education.
The constant communication between the participants of this process.
Once we have seen the concept of E-Learning, we can talk about the
M-Learning.
2.2. M-Learning
The advent of mobile technology in our lives is an unstoppable reality
social and economic, which exceeds the educational and cultural spheres. This
incorporation changes the social and educational environment and we must
incorporate it to the processes of learning and teaching.
The M-Learning or Mobile learning has been defined for several expert in
this area. Some definitions are:

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According to Quinn (2000), the M-Learning or Mobile Learning, is the
same as the E-Learning with the difference that the M-Learning is through
portable devices with Internet access. These devices can be Smartphone, table
PC, laptop's, portable computer... Quinn thinks that the Mobile Learning is an
extension of the E-Learning but the M-Learning offers independence of space
and time. With this we can get Internet access all day from anywhere.
Harris (2001) defines the Mobile Learning as “the point at which the
mobile computing and E-learning are intercepted to produce a learning
experience anytime, anywhere. According to him the mobile Learning includes
the use of mobile phone, PDA... anything that allows the user to access to the
course resources wherever he is.”
“Mobile learning is an emerging paradigm in a state of intense
development driven by the confluence of three technology flows, ambient
computing power, communication and development environment for user’s
intelligent interfaces.” Sharples(2002).
“M-Learning is the acquisition of any knowledge and skills through the
use of mobile technology at any time and place" Geddes (2009).
Mobile Learning constitutes the use of "mobile technology" at the service
of associated processes with the teaching and the learning. It provides modern
methods to support the learning process by using mobile instruments, such as
laptops and computer tablets, MP3 players, smart phones and mobile phones
and it is becoming one of the solutions to the problems facing the education
sector.
M-learning takes on a special meaning what has been called "open
learning methodology" or "flexible learning". This learning methodology places
particular emphasis on the active role and responsibility of the student. In this
sense, the construction of knowledge and skills development is personal
responsibility.
Based on this view, are especially important theories of constructivist
learning, collaborative learning, situated learning and connective.

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When we talk about mobile devices, the most important device is the
smart phone by their size and their services. Mobile services have special
characteristics that can be summarized in the following points:
Accessibility. There aren’t limitations in time or space to use the
services.
Convenience. Services (phone, calendar ...) are packaged and they
make the operations where and when we want and when you can.
Immediacy. There aren’t delays between the impulse and the act.
Location. Being the person located in a geographical location all times,
the mobile operators can carry out a geographical and spatial
segmentation services and content.
Personalization. Terminal and services are adaptable to the needs and
preferences of the users.
Ubiquity. Enable communication from anywhere and anytime.
After explaining the M-Learning we will approach it in two specific areas:
At school and adult education.
3. Advantages and disadvantages of M-Learning
3.1. Advantages
M-Learning is the most current version of distance education, and
it has countless benefits in their favour. Some characteristics of ML are:
Learning anytime & anywhere: You don’t need be in a particular place or
learning a given time. The mobile device can be used anywhere and
anytime.
A mobile device is cheaper than a pc. More people have a mobile device
than a pc.
More freedom and flexibility of learning because we have the mobile
phone available the 24 hours of the day.

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Greater autonomy. You can customize the mobile device easier than a
computer.
All online activities training space (thousands) are available for mobile
devices.
Their size allows the mobility with the user.
The use of ML increases the user’s motivation.
The use of headphones, which is more absorbent than a book.
Instant access to data and warnings. Users have quickly access to
messages, emails, reminders and news generated in real time.
Easy navigation and adaptation of content considering the navigability,
the processor and the speed connection of these devices.
Mobile devices allow instant interaction between student and teacher.
We have at our disposal support games to the formation process. The
variety of mobile games, promotes the creativity and the collaboration.
"Just in time, just for me". What the student wants, when the student
wants.
3.2. Disadvantages
Mobile devices have problems associated with the usability
because they have small screens; in general, we can say that this is the
major disadvantage of mobile devices; particularly in some phones is
hard to read a text medium, because the amount of visible information is
limited and makes the reader have to be moving through the text to read
it. This disadvantage makes the navigation is limited. Additionally, some
mobile phones tend to be too compact, a problem when interacting with
them. Another problem that offers the small screen is the difficulty of
typing on it.
Another problem is the price, which is a disadvantage that can’t be
ignored. In addition, technology changes very quickly, the devices have
to be updated frequently. But as we said before, mobile devices are
cheaper than computers. Also the price of the books is very high (in

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Spain a book of school can cost about 40 €). With mobile devices we
don’t need buy books. I think that it isn’t a disadvantage.
Batteries generally last in intensive use from 2 to 4 hours. This is a
problem because we don’t speak about a totally mobile device because we
need to rely on a plug to charge the battery.
4. The use of M-learning in school and in the adult education
Although ML has different applications in adults and children also it has
some uses in common as:
To find information on the Internet; consultation of multimedia materials:
video, animation, audio; consultation of digital dictionaries and
encyclopaedias; podcast; material production; to read digital books; to listen
audio books; to take notes, audio, video; to make photos, videos; file sharing
and interaction in social networks; access to the online platform where
information is housed; booster pills, exercises, activities; Educational Apps
for curriculum knowledge; to send additional information of the subject; to
record the teacher's explanations; to record an experiment; documents
edition; create a library of sounds or images.
These are some of the applications of M-Learning in the classroom
(adults and children). As we can see, nowadays, the ML and EL is a
supplement in the classroom, but what, they are trying is to become a major
element in education.
4.1. ML in adult education
Adult education has converged with the concept of lifelong education with
the meaning that all educational processes are understood as being carried out
within the context of lifelong learning or adult education.

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The concept of lifelong education was expanded through the addition of
the specification "for all". Lifelong education is for all.
The concept of adult education includes:
- The idea of education as a permanent process converging with lifelong
education.
- The emphasis on the social, economical and cultural development of the
person.
- The need for increasing inclusion and participation of disadvantaged
groups through the education for all.
The key features of using mobile technology for learning are its
personalization capability and extended reach. This has attracted more and
more learners, especially adult learners, for whom the work-life balance is
critical. Combined with good planning, mobile thecnologies can encourage
creativity and innovation by both learners and teacher. The idea of having
learning separated by an extended period of time from when a person
actually attempts to use the learning has to be challenged.
Nowadays adult education doesn't seem to be embracing m-learning as a
way of improving their student's online experience.
It's important take a systems view of all the elements that need to be in
place in a mobile learning environment, such as: the communication
infrastructure, the mobile devices, learners and techers. Each of these elements
is essential to ensure the effective adoption of mobile technologies in higher
education.
The M-Learning focuses on adult education can be the future, not too far, in
order to don’t have to attend class. Nowadays we already have enough online
resources to study without any problem anywhere, thanks to mobile devices.
We have named some applications previously.

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4.2. ML in schools.
Mobile learning technologies offer teachers and students a more
flexible approach to learning.
In 2001, Marc Prensky warned us, "Our students have changed
radically. Today's students are no longer the people our educational system
was designed to teach." He went on to describe how these "digital natives"
are being exposed to more gadgets and technology than was ever thought
possible. This is having a profound effect on the ways in which children
learn. They are more engaged in learning when using the latest
technological gadgets, because it is what they are most used to interacting
with. Our students don't just want mobile learning, they need it.
A recent study funded by the Department of Education, looked at the
link between learning, and the PBS Kids educational gaming app, Martha
Speaks Dog Party. The study found that after children had used the app
every every day for two weeks, the vocabulary of Title 1 children between
three and seven years old improved by as much as 31 percent. Studies like
these help underline the academic potential that mobile learning devices can
have to enrich the learning process for students. They are versatile,
motivating, and active learning tools.
Students are more engaged and motivated to learn when they use
mobile devices, and research shows that academic performances can
improve. We as educators need to take note of this, and look for safe,
productive ways to integrate mobile learning devices into our curriculums.
Mobile learning makes it possible to extend education beyond the
physical confines of the classroom and beyond the fixed time periods of the
school day. It allows students to access content from home, communicate with
teachers, and work with other people online. The value of mobile devices is that
they allow students to connect, communicate, collaborate and create using rich
digital resources.

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5. Conclusion
The Mobile learning can generate a radical change in the educational
process, learning through mobile devices will generate new approaches to
pedagogical concepts, not just about knowing how to teach a subject or do
understand it, but to live with technology as a tool for daily labors, promoting the
research and the independent learning in students.
mobile learning may well be understood as a new way of personal learning
that never ends, a new technological-pedagogical model that points to a new
dimension in education process.
6. Webgraphy
- http://www.iseamcc.net/eISEA/Vigilancia_tecnologica/informe_4.pdf
- http://www.cfp.us.es/e-learning-definicion-y-caracteristicas
- http://www.e-abclearning.com/definicione-learning
- http://carolinaizarra.wordpress.com/81-2/
- http://www.unesco.org/new/es/unesco/themes/icts/m4ed/
- http://www.uam.es/proyectosinv/idlla/docs/01-04.pdf
- http://serviciosgate.upm.es/docs/asesoramiento/guia_implementacion_m
ovil.pdf
- http://www.escuela20.com/nativos-digitales-inmigrantes-digitales-
prensky/articulos-y-actualidad/10-maneras-en-las-que-el-aprendizaje-
movil-revolucionara-la-educacion_2574_42_4069_0_1_in.html
- http://www.edutopia.org/pdfs/guides/edutopia-guia-aprendizaje-
dispositivos-mobiles-espanol.pdf

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- http://edutec.rediris.es/Revelec2/Revelec45/pdf/Edutec-e_n45-Madrid-
Maryorga-Nunez.pdf
- http://www.escuela20.com/mleaerning-tecnologia-educativa/articulos-y-
actualidad/5-ventajas-y-5-desventajas-del-
mlearning_3175_42_4680_0_10_in.html
- http://www.mymobile-project.eu/IMG/pdf/Handbook_Lessons-
Recommendations.pdf
- http://es.scribd.com/doc/93370531/Mobile-Learning-in-Adult-Education
- http://www.brookings.edu/research/papers/2013/09/17-mobile-learning-
education-engaging-students-west
- http://www.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3754742

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