Mobile learning (m-learning) involves using mobile technologies to enhance the learning experience. It began developing in the 1990s and focuses on learning across contexts using mobile devices. There are several advantages to m-learning over internet learning, including improved literacy/numeracy skills, independent/collaborative learning, and overcoming the digital divide. However, m-learning also faces technical challenges like small screens and limited storage/performance, as well as social challenges regarding accessibility and assessing mobile learning. Effective m-learning design and evaluation methods are still needing development to address these issues.

1. Sultan Qaboos University
College of Education
Department of Instructional & Learning Technologies
Done by: Ekhlas Alsaadi
ID: 68704
TECH: 4101

2. What is mobile learning?
M-learning, or "mobile learning", now commonly abbreviated to "M-Learning", has
different meanings for different communities. Although related to e-learning and
distance education, it is distinct in its focus on learning across contexts and learning
with mobile devices.
“… M-learning is the exciting art of using mobile technologies to enhance the
learning experience. Mobile phones, PDAs, Pocket PCs and the Internet can be
blended to engage and motivate learners, any time and anywhere. …”
History:
 1990s: Universities in Europe and Asia develop and evaluate mobile learning for
students.
 2000s: The European Commission funds the major multi-national M-Learning
projects.
Companies were formed that specialize in three core areas of mobile learning.
 Authoring and publishing
 Delivery and Tracking
 Content Development
 The International Association for Mobile Learning: The International
Association for Mobile Learning has been formed as a membership organization
to promote excellence in research, development and application of mobile and
contextual learning.
 2008: Assistant Professor Matthew Kam from Carnegie Mellon University
developed mobile phone learning games for children in rural India.
Why Mobile Learning?
According to Attewell (2005) as quoted by Yousuf (2007) and Becking et al (2008),
There are several advantages inherent in mobile learning over Internet:
 Helps learners to improve literacy and numeric skills
 Helps learners to recognize their existing abilities
 Can be used for independent and collaborative learning experiences
 Helps learners to identify where they need assistance and support
 Helps to overcome the digital divide
 Helps to make learning informal
 Helps learners to be more focused for longer periods
 Helps to raise self-esteem and self-confidence
 It is portable form one place to another.
 More wide spread and popular than Internet

3.  Not much technological pre-requisites
 Cost is pretty affordable as comparatively less recurring cost and one-time
 Investment
 Provides real time and location independency
Features of mobile learning system:
 Allows users to have access to course resources impendent from time and
place.
 Allows authenticated users to have access to the system.
 Allows users to have access to the resources in different formats (voice, text,
picture and video)
 Allows the reuse of material
 Allows users to carry out the functions defined as an education component.
 Offers flexible environment in which other services and components can be
added.
 However we have to keep in mind that content of the mobile devices is based
on their capabilities.
Advantages of M-learning:
 Students have access to test and assignment results, and may obtain lecture
notes and sample spreadsheets electronically, allowing for more focused in-
class learning.
 Students use e-mail, Web sites, online discussion groups and other chat
forums to collaborate with peers, faculty and experts in their area of study.
 Learning can be done anytime and anywhere.
 An instructor can get immediate feedback on the lesson
 Student’s can be assessed on multiple choices, true/false questions in the
classroom.
 Real-time experiments can take place in classrooms.
 Instructors can provide examples such as simulations and web based
documents
 Small screens limit the amount and type of information that can be displayed.
 There are limited storage capacities for mobiles and PDAs.
 Batteries have to be charged regularly, and data can be lost if this is not done
correctly.
 They can be much less robust than desktops.

4. Limitation/challenges of M-learning:
M-learning challenges are divided in tow type:
1/ Technical challenges:
 Small Screen size
 Small key size
 Limited Performance, in terms of processor capability, available memory, and
storage space and battery life.
 Slow Connectivity of the internet
 Multiple standards, multiple screen sizes, multiple operating systems
 Repurposing existing e-Learning materials for mobile platforms
 Left- to-right scrolling, web sites too big to see effectively on small screen
 Risk of theft, rain, mud, breakability, and so on.
2/ Social and educational challenges:
 Accessibility
 How to assess learning on mobile phone
 Developing an appropriate theory of learning for the mobile age
 Tracking of results and proper use of this information
 No demographic boundary
 Mobile communication is still expensive – especially from abroad
Support and Delivery:
Most personal technologies can support mobile learning, including:
 Personal Digital Assistant, in the classroom and outdoors
 Tablet PC UMPC mobile phone, camera phone and Smartphone
 Learning Mobile Author, e.g. for authoring and publishing WAP, J2ME and
Smartphone
 Personal audio player, e.g. for listening to audio recordings of lectures
 Handheld audio and multimedia guides, in museums and galleries
 Handheld game console, modern gaming consoles such as Sony PSP or
Nintendo DS
Technical and delivery support for mobile learning:
 3GP For compression and delivery method of audiovisual content associated
with Mobile Learning
 Wi-Fi is popular wireless technology used in home networks, mobile phones,
video games and other electronic devices.
 GPRS mobile data service, provides high speed connection and data transfer
rate

5. Concerns and issues:
Learning Across Contexts:
 Mobile learning is not just about learning using portable devices, but learning
across contexts
 Focus should be on the learner and the learning, not on the systems behind the
devices.
Design:
 Designing for mobile learning becomes a critical challenge, we need to
develop theory, strategies and techniques.
Evaluation:
 How can we effectively measure learning in mobile environments?
 Evaluation overlaps with design. Mobile learning is often blended with other
types of learning.