Mobile learning (m-learning) combines e-learning with mobile computing allowing learning to occur anywhere at any time. Current mobile technologies used for m-learning include cellular phones, notebooks, PDAs, MP3 players and smartphones. M-learning provides benefits like accessibility and interactivity but also challenges such as small screens and unpredictable connectivity. For successful m-learning, content needs to be interactive, reliable, ubiquitous, accessible, secure, flexible, efficient and rich. Trends in m-learning include online courses, podcast lectures and educational gaming. The future of m-learning involves high-speed data transmission through mobile devices requiring new digital skills and pedagogies.

1. The Evolution of M-Learning Andrea Howard IT 780 April 21, 2008

2. What is M-Learning Mobile learning (m-learning) is a combination of electronic learning (e-learning) and computing “on the go”. M-learning derived from e-learning which derived from d-learning (distance learning).

3. Current Mobile Technologies Cellular phones Notebook computers PDAs MP3 Players Smartphones Portable gaming devices

4. Pros and Cons of M-Learning Pros Provides anytime, anywhere access Mobile computing Inexpensive Interactive Paperless Allows for immediate feedback Cons Small screen size Unpredictable connectivity reliability Less personal contact Technology literacy required for students Instructors must continuously monitor and update sites and materials.

5. M-Learning “Must Have’s” Interactivity- Can users interact with content easily? Reliability- Can users depend on consistency among the content? Ubiquity- Can the user access all content needed at anytime? Access- Is the wireless network available relatively anywhere? Security- How protected is the mobile device and the content? Flexibility- Can the content be viewed on different types of devices and operating systems? Efficiency- What is the required memory for the applications and how quickly will they load? Richness- What is the visual quality of the content? Source: Wagner, Ellen D. (2005). Enabling Mobile Learning. EDUCAUSE Review, 40(3) 40-53.

6. Trends in M-Learning Online courses Podcast lectures Educational gaming Slidesharing

7. Future of M-Learning Ability to transport both voice data and non-voice data through mobile telephones High speed mobile Internet and data transmission “ Effective mobile learning programs will require new digital communication skills, new pedagogies, and new practices” (Wagner, 2005). Source: Wagner, Ellen D. (2005). Enabling Mobile Learning. EDUCAUSE Review, 40(3) 40-53.